Space42 and Viasat plan to launch satellite services from 2029 — The National
Space42, an Abu Dhabi-based company in the United Arab Emirates, is developing direct satellite connectivity technology for ordinary smartphones. It is intended to provide connectivity beyond terrestrial 4G and 5G networks, including at sea, in deserts and mountains, The National reports.
Direct-to-device technology is expected to allow phones without special modifications to connect to satellites in areas without conventional mobile coverage. Victor Stoyanov, chief operating officer of Smart Solutions at Space42, said that users will be able to get connectivity even in remote locations in the future.
Joint network with Viasat
Space42 and Viasat have committed to invest $1 billion in Equatys, a joint venture developing a global direct-to-device satellite network. The services are expected to begin operating from 2029.
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The companies aim to make a smartphone's transition between terrestrial and satellite networks almost unnoticeable to users. Nermin Neghm, Space42's vice president of communications, compared the planned mechanism to a smartphone switching between a home Wi-Fi network and a mobile network.
Radars and image analysis
Space42 is also developing the Foresight constellation of five satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar. According to the company, they can capture images with a resolution of up to 25 centimeters.
Unlike optical satellites, synthetic aperture radars do not depend on sunlight and can collect images through clouds, smoke and dust. Three of the five Foresight satellites in orbit underwent assembly, integration and testing in the UAE. Space42 also uses artificial intelligence to compare consecutive images of the same area and detect changes.
