Latest news with #SarathRaj
The National
07-05-2025
- Business
- The National
SpaceX secures Starship boost after winning approval for 25 launches a year
SpaceX is primed to accelerate development of its Starship space rocket after being granted permission to increase its launches from five to 25 per year. The US Federal Aviation Administration issued its final environmental assessment, in which it said that SpaceX's licence was being modified to increase the number of launches from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Starship, a two-stage system that involves the Super Heavy Booster and the Starship spacecraft, has been launched on eight test flights in two years, with each one bringing SpaceX closer to beginning commercial operations. 'The FAA's evaluation of a permit or licence application includes a review of public safety issues (such as overflight of populated areas and payload contents), national security or foreign policy concerns, insurance requirements for the launch operator and potential environmental impact,' the administration said. Dr Sarath Raj, project director of the Satellite Ground Station at Dubai's Amity University, told The National that the move will 'significantly accelerate' the rocket's development. 'This substantial increase from the previous limit allows SpaceX to implement a rapid iterative testing campaign, quickly identifying and rectifying design or operational flaws through frequent flight data,' he said. 'Each launch provides invaluable real-world performance data crucial for refining the Starship system, including its novel full reusability aspects.' SpaceX has also used this rapid development approach for its flagship Falcon rockets, building and testing them quickly to gather data and make improvements. But frequent test flights of Starship have been a challenge in the past due to strict requirements. Billionaire Elon Musk threatened to sue the FAA in September after it proposed to issue $633,009 worth of penalties to SpaceX for not following licence requirements during two of its launches in 2023. When US President Donald Trump won the election in November, experts predicted that the new administration would help fast-track Starship's path to commercial operations by cutting down on regulatory delays. 'For instance, the administration could prioritise rapid permitting for launches and streamline environmental reviews, which have historically slowed SpaceX operations at Boca Chica,' Sahith Madara, an aerospace engineer and founder of Paris advisory firm Bumi and Space, told The National at the time. 'The FAA could waive certain regulatory requirements or set aggressive deadlines for assessments, potentially shortening the approval timeline for each launch.' The Trump administration has historically advocated for reducing regulatory barriers and expediting approval processes, especially for industries it considers critical to the US, such as aerospace and defence. Mr Musk has influence in the administration, having been appointed by Mr Trump to lead a drive to improve government efficiency. 'With Trump's re-election, his administration's pro-space, tech-driven and industrial vision for America's future could lead to supportive FAA policies for commercial space ventures, potentially fast-tracking projects like Starship,' said Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX, a UAE-based space advisory and investment firm. On May 3, SpaceX's launch site Starbase officially became a city in Texas, after residents of the area, many of whom are SpaceX employees, voted in favour of Mr Musk's proposal. While the regulatory approval enables SpaceX to speed up development, Dr Raj said that the company should still manage environmental responsibilities. Boca Chica, on the Texas Gulf Coast, is home to sensitive wildlife habitats and has been at the centre of environmental debates over rocket debris, noise and pollution. 'Crucially, this progress must be accompanied by robust environmental monitoring, including air and water quality, noise levels and debris impact, ensuring alignment with global sustainability efforts in space activities,' he said. Starship is central to SpaceX's long-term vision, as the company holds a $2.89 billion Nasa contract to develop a lunar landing system for the Artemis programme. Mr Musk's ultimate goal, however, is to use the rocket to 'make life multiplanetary' and eventually send humans to Mars. A new budget proposal for Nasa by the White House suggests a greater focus on human space exploration of the Moon and Mars. The ninth test flight of Starship is planned for this month. In the previous flight in March, the Starship spacecraft successfully separated from the booster, which then returned to be captured mid-air by mechanical arms on a launch tower. Mission control lost contact with the spacecraft during its ascent. It broke up and re-entered the atmosphere over Florida and the Bahamas.
The National
15-03-2025
- Science
- The National
Etihad-Sat lifts off: Launch of latest radar satellite to boost UAE's Earth observation capabilities
The UAE's first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite has lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre confirmed the successful launch on Saturday around 11am. The launch of the radar satellite complements the centre's existing Earth observation fleet. Etihad-Sat, a 220kg SAR satellite, is equipped with technology capable of monitoring the planet in any weather, day and night. It has gone into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission from a California spaceport. Etihad-Sat is MBRSC's first SAR satellite and will fill gaps in its fleet, which includes high-resolution optical imaging satellites like KhalifaSat and the recently launched MBZ-Sat. These are restricted to capturing photos in clear weather and can be impeded by cloud cover, haze and atmospheric interference. 'We have completed our preparations for the Etihad-Sat mission, MBRSC's first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite,' Salem Al Marri, director-general of the space centre, wrote on X on Tuesday. 'All the best to the team working on this mission.' The satellite, which was built in partnership with South Korea's satellite manufacturing company Satrec Initiative, is expected to serve industry by detecting oil spills and monitoring natural disasters, improving navigation at sea and supporting smart agriculture and the environment. Sarath Raj, project director of the satellite ground station at Amity University Dubai, told The National that the technology is capable of penetrating clouds, fog and darkness to capture images. 'This advancement dramatically enhances data reliability, particularly crucial for disaster response, where timely and accurate information is essential for assessing flood damage, tracking landslides and monitoring other hazards regardless of environmental conditions,' he said. KhalifaSat tracks urban growth and environmental changes. Between 2021 and 2022, its images helped researchers to identify about 20,600 new buildings and vegetation shifts across 873 hectares in Dubai, assisting urban planning. It also provided imagery during the California wildfires in 2020 to help emergency teams assess damage and co-ordinate relief efforts. However, while KalifaSat captures sharp images, it depends on clear skies and atmospheric conditions. Etihad-Sat's SAR technology can gather data around the clock. 'SAR provides high-resolution insights that empower decision-makers to act swiftly and effectively,' said Dr Raj. MBZ-Sat, which is three times more powerful than KhalifaSat, was launched on January 14, but the space centre is yet to post the first image taken by it on social media as it typically does with most missions. SAR technology was developed for military and scientific use in the 1950s. The first SAR satellite, Nasa's Seasat, was launched in 1978. It is now more in-demand than ever, thanks to advancements like artificial intelligence-driven data analysis. Increasing climate challenges have also made the technology an important tool for disaster response and environmental monitoring. More countries and private companies are now investing in SAR, recognising its ability to provide uninterrupted, high-precision Earth observation. Amar Vora, head of space at consultancy company Serco Middle East, told The National that the space centre is now 'well-positioned to contribute to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence'. 'By integrating SAR into its growing satellite fleet, the UAE joins an exclusive group of nations that provide both optical and radar-based Earth observation data,' he said. The US, Italy, China, Canada and Germany are among the countries that also have the technology. The UAE's first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, was launched last year by YahSat and Bayanat, two Abu Dhabi organisations that merged to form an AI-powered space technology business called Space42. This created one of the world's most valuable publicly listed space companies. Foresight is part of a constellation of seven SAR microsatellites Space42 is planning to operate. The UAE has been investing heavily in Earth observation capabilities, with the local market size currently estimated at $980 million and is expected reach $1.49 billion by 2029, according to market research company Mordor Intelligence. The MBRSC has developed and launched six Earth observation satellites since 2009. The SpaceX rocket on Saturday will also carry Al Munther satellite, the first to be developed entirely by Bahraini engineers. The 3.2kg nanosatellite, which will be used for environmental monitoring and disaster response efforts, is equipped with artificial intelligence-powered image processing, cybersecurity features and radio broadcast capabilities. Engineers from the country's National Space Science Agency developed the satellite, with payload testing taking place at the UAE's National Space and Technology Centre in Al Ain. The UAE and Bahrain collaborated in 2022 on the Light-1 nanosatellite, which has enhances the study of charged particles above thunderstorms that release harmful levels of radiation.
The National
12-03-2025
- Science
- The National
Etihad-Sat: Launch of latest radar satellite to boost UAE's Earth observation capabilities
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is to complement its Earth observation fleet with the launch of a radar satellite. Etihad-Sat, a 220kg synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, is equipped with technology capable of monitoring the planet in any weather, day and night. It will go into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 carrier rocket from a California spaceport on March 15, the US Federal Aviation Administration's website said. Etihad-Sat is MBRSC's first SAR satellite and will fill gaps in its fleet, which includes high-resolution optical imaging satellites like KhalifaSat and the recently launched MBZ-Sat. These are restricted to capturing photos in clear weather and can be impeded by cloud cover, haze and atmospheric interference. 'We have completed our preparations for the Etihad-Sat mission, MBRSC's first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite,' Salem Al Marri, director-general of the space centre, wrote on X on Tuesday. 'All the best to the team working on this mission.' The satellite, which was built in partnership with South Korea's satellite manufacturing company Satrec Initiative, is expected to serve industry by detecting oil spills and monitoring natural disasters, improving navigation at sea and supporting smart agriculture and the environment. Sarath Raj, project director of the satellite ground station at Amity University Dubai, told The National that the technology is capable of penetrating clouds, fog and darkness to capture images. 'This advancement dramatically enhances data reliability, particularly crucial for disaster response, where timely and accurate information is essential for assessing flood damage, tracking landslides and monitoring other hazards regardless of environmental conditions,' he said. KhalifaSat tracks urban growth and environmental changes. Between 2021 and 2022, its images helped researchers to identify about 20,600 new buildings and vegetation shifts across 873 hectares in Dubai, assisting urban planning. It also provided imagery during the California wildfires in 2020 to help emergency teams assess damage and co-ordinate relief efforts. However, while KalifaSat captures sharp images, it depends on clear skies and atmospheric conditions. Etihad-Sat's SAR technology can gather data around the clock. 'SAR provides high-resolution insights that empower decision-makers to act swiftly and effectively,' said Dr Raj. MBZ-Sat, which is three times more powerful than KhalifaSat, was launched on January 14, but the space centre is yet to post the first image taken by it on social media as it typically does with most missions. SAR technology was developed for military and scientific use in the 1950s. The first SAR satellite, Nasa's Seasat, was launched in 1978. It is now more in-demand than ever, thanks to advancements like artificial intelligence-driven data analysis. Increasing climate challenges have also made the technology an important tool for disaster response and environmental monitoring. More countries and private companies are now investing in SAR, recognising its ability to provide uninterrupted, high-precision Earth observation. Amar Vora, head of space at consultancy company Serco Middle East, told The National that the space centre is now 'well-positioned to contribute to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence'. 'By integrating SAR into its growing satellite fleet, the UAE joins an exclusive group of nations that provide both optical and radar-based Earth observation data,' he said. The US, Italy, China, Canada and Germany are among the countries that also have the technology. The UAE's first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, was launched last year by YahSat and Bayanat, two Abu Dhabi organisations that merged to form an AI-powered space technology business called Space42. This created one of the world's most valuable publicly listed space companies. Foresight is part of a constellation of seven SAR microsatellites Space42 is planning to operate. The UAE has been investing heavily in Earth observation capabilities, with the local market size currently estimated at $980 million and is expected reach $1.49 billion by 2029, according to market research company Mordor Intelligence. The MBRSC has developed and launched six Earth observation satellites since 2009.
