Three new ICEYE satellites launched

On Sunday morning, November 2, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched three new Finnish satellites into space – although these latest ICEYE satellites were assembled and tested in the United Arab Emirates through a collaboration between ICEYE and Space42. 

These are part of the UAE’s commissioned Foresight radar satellite network, which currently includes five ICEYE satellites.

ICEYE has launched a total of 57 satellites into space, though “only” about 30 are in the company’s own use. The current fourth-generation radar satellites can detect objects on Earth’s surface as small as approximately 25 cm, day or night, even through clouds. This is the world’s largest radar satellite constellation.

With a large number of satellites, objects can be observed frequently, as there is no need to wait long for a satellite pass. Each point on Earth can be imaged several times daily.

The Finnish company has quickly risen to become one of the most prominent players in the so-called New Space industry, elevating Finland to a true space power. The first Finnish satellite was launched in 2017, and ICEYE’s first satellite reached orbit in 2018. Currently, Finland’s national space object registry lists 34 satellites, of which 25 are operational.

ICEYE has sold satellites, similar to those for the UAE, to several countries for civilian and military use: the United States, Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Brazil, Portugal, Japan, and Finland’s own defense forces. Discussions are also underway with Sweden and Greece. These satellites are registered under their respective customer countries’ registries.

The company plans to launch over 20 satellites per year in the near future. In Otaniemi, new satellites and their components are being built in series production, although manufacturing and assembly are also taking place in the United States, Poland, and now the United Arab Emirates.