THE SATELLITES FUNCTION DAY AND NIGHT IN ANY WEATHER , UNLIKE TRADITIONAL OPTICAL SATELLITES THAT REQUIRE SUNLIGHT AND CLEAR CONDITIONS .
DISRUPTIVE TECH
The next phase of business innovation in the Middle East is being written in the heavens . The region ’ s new space economy is shooting into the stratosphere and promising significant growth opportunities for businesses in the process .
The new space economy is the latest frontier of innovation and entrepreneurship , driven by advancements in technology and increasing investments in space exploration , satellite services , and space tourism . The sector is already big business in the Middle East with a forecast value of US $ 75 billion by 2032 and with spending set to increase 92 % over the next decade .
The UAE has established a position for itself in this burgeoning market . Its ambitious space programme includes an astronaut training scheme , a lunar mission , and even a plan to establish a settlement on Mars . It is also eyeing up the commercial potential for a new range of satellites that are revolutionising Earth observation and unlocking a rich seam of intelligence for business innovation .
Synthetic Aperture Radar , SAR satellites use radar to produce detailed images of Earth . The satellites function day and night in any weather , unlike traditional optical satellites that require sunlight and clear conditions . This approach allows for consistent , reliable data collection , crucial for environmental monitoring , disaster response , and surveillance , where timely and clear images are critical .
The technology is continually evolving , and becoming increasingly valuable to businesses as a result . One recent advancement is around imaging modes . SAR satellite vendors and operators offer a range of imaging modes calibrated for different use case requirements .
THE SATELLITES FUNCTION DAY AND NIGHT IN ANY WEATHER , UNLIKE TRADITIONAL OPTICAL SATELLITES THAT REQUIRE SUNLIGHT AND CLEAR CONDITIONS .
search and discover images within catalogues , enhancing their experience with self-service capabilities .
Integration of AI promises to unlock more value for businesses . Solution providers are building AI-based services on top of SAR images . Accurate AI models can be prepared for detecting ships , aircraft , and vehicles through SAR imagery .
As AI technology matures , we can expect to see it enrich Earth observation use cases in several ways , whether through image enhancement , automated infrastructure monitoring for smarter city planning , or predictive modelling to improve disaster response planning .
As AI technology advances , its integration with SAR data will likely become more sophisticated , offering businesses not just clearer insights , but also predictive capabilities that drive proactive decisionmaking and innovation .
Jamil Kawar , VP for Missions , Middle East and North Africa , ICEYE
AI and digital platforms
Leading SAR providers are helping businesses make the most of the opportunity using Application Programming Interfaces , APIs . APIs are a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other , enabling features and data to be shared across different systems seamlessly .
APIs transform how customers interact with satellites , offering them control . Through APIs , organisations can task satellites to capture images of specific locations at precise times , removing the need for intermediary support and saving time . Users can independently
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