Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in partnership with UAE-based space tech firm Space42, launched the Middle East’s first dedicated commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite manufacturing facility.

Named Space42 Space Systems, the facility will handle the full design, assembly, integration, and testing of SAR satellites used for Earth Observation, establishing a sovereign capability in space-based intelligence, as per a recent press release.

Announced during ‘Make it in the Emirates 2025’, the initiative marks a major step in Abu Dhabi’s plan to strengthen its advanced manufacturing ecosystem and accelerate high-tech job creation, with a particular focus on UAE Nationals. It aligns with national strategies, including the UAE’s Space Strategy 2030 and Earth Observation Space Programme.

Space42 Space Systems will enable the UAE to independently produce advanced EO satellites, reinforcing the country’s space infrastructure while supporting critical areas like national security, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. Until now, SAR satellite production has been concentrated in a few global markets.

Beyond manufacturing, the facility will also develop local talent through academic partnerships, internships, and industry-led training. With ADIO’s support, the project positions Abu Dhabi as a rising hub for space technology, geospatial data, and sovereign innovation within the global space economy.