Earth Observation Collaboration Announced at UAE Conference
Space42 and EDGE Group Enter into Five-Year Agreement
A strategic collaboration has been announced between Space42 and FADA, an EDGE Group entity established to develop the UAE’s sovereign geospatial analytics capabilities, to significantly advance the UAE’s Earth Observation (EO) downstream capabilities. The contract, valued at AED 378 million (≈$103 million), aims to provide comprehensive solutions across various sectors over a five-year period.
"This collaboration will elevate the capabilities of our Earth Observation technologies and contribute significantly to the UAE’s strategic objectives in data-driven decision-making."
Hasan Al Hosani, Space42
The collaboration will leverage data from Space42’s Foresight Constellation of SAR satellites, first launched in August 2024 and expanded in January 2025. Space42 and FADA will collaborate with multiple government end-users to continuously develop the platform capabilities over the next few years.
“Our strategic partnership with FADA further enables Space42 to continue delivering premium geospatial insights that enhance national capabilities and operational efficiency," said Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, Space42. "This collaboration will elevate the capabilities of our Earth Observation technologies and contribute significantly to the UAE’s strategic objectives in data-driven decision-making. By leveraging advanced analytics and multi-source geospatial data, we will provide unparalleled insights that add significant value to government entities."
"This partnership between Space42 and FADA marks a major milestone in advancing Earth Observation technology in the region," said Waleid Al Mesmari, President, Space & Cyber Technologies, EDGE. With the launch of FADA, EDGE’s new space company, we are reinforcing our commitment to pioneering advanced technologies and strengthening national capabilities. FADA's mission to develop sovereign space solutions and drive innovation in satellite systems aligns with this collaboration. Together, we are setting a new benchmark in geospatial capabilities to support a safer, more sustainable future for the UAE and beyond."
FADA was established in 2024 in EDGE's ‘Space & Cyber Technologies’ Cluster. As a critical component of EDGE’s strategic vision, FADA has established modern facilities for the development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing of various satellite systems and subsystems, serving as a one-stop shop for all space-related activities and providing end-to-end solutions and services to local and international customers, including: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) payloads, as well as satellite platforms, and satellite cybersecurity and protection services in addition to other space activities.