MetaSensing, a leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system innovation for Earth observation, has been selected as the provider of the SAR payload for Sirb, the UAE’s National Program dedicated to the development of a SAR constellation. This assignment represents a significant commercial agreement in the radar constellation sector, marking a new step forward in enhancing global Earth Observation capabilities.
Selected by FADA, part of the EDGE Group, MetaSensing and ST Engineering will collaborate in building the satellite platform, as part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing sovereign space and satellite capabilities in the UAE. Specifically, MetaSensing will provide its StarSAR-X radar payload and implement a structured program for technology and knowledge transfer. These combined efforts will provide the program with high-resolution Earth observation capabilities in any weather condition, day and night.
The Sirb program, whose name is Arabic for a flock of birds, plans to launch the first satellite within three years. The constellation is designed to monitor national borders, critical infrastructures, and environmental changes, as well as to strengthen the country’s response capabilities in case of natural disasters. These applications are strategically important in geographical areas where optical satellite observations are strongly limited by cloud cover, poor lighting, or particularly adverse environmental conditions, such as atmospheric dust.
MetaSensing’s StarSAR-X payload is a key technology element of the program. It is a compact, high-performance X-band radar capable of providing sub-metric resolution images with a wide range of operational modes and an architecture designed for scalable deployment in constellations. StarSAR-X enables strategic surveillance capabilities that have been almost exclusively accessible through large government space programs in the past.
“**This is a decisive moment for MetaSensing**,” says **Adriano Meta**, **CEO of MetaSensing**. “_For 17 years, while developing SAR technology, we’ve always believed in the disruptive potential of SAR. This contract shows that our innovative and scalable approach resonates on a global_ _level._ confirming our role as a key player in the new space economy.”
**Giovanni Tortolano**, **CFO of MetaSensing**, adds: “_Reaching this agreement required analysis of highly complex technical and financial considerations._ The dedication of all parties has been extraordinary. This is not just a commercial success but a strategic step towards sustainable long-term growth for MetaSensing.”
Over the past five years, Middle Eastern countries have expanded their Earth observation capabilities from space, driven by strategies focused on resilience security, large-scale infrastructure planning, and the need for autonomy in defense capabilities. SAR technology is now becoming a key element in this strategy, representing a growing opportunity for MetaSensing.
MetaSensing’s contribution will play a crucial role in significantly expanding observation capacity, accelerating the adoption of SAR technology in security, resilience monitoring, and smart infrastructure management.
About MetaSensing
MetaSensing is an Italian company, with offices in Italy, the Netherlands, and Singapore, and a global network of partners, that produces and manages cutting-edge Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors for remote sensing applications.
Source and image credit @MetaSensing
