EDGE Group has announced the launch of its new space company, FADA, a name inspired by the Arabic word for space. This significant move will enhance the group’s global competitiveness and position EDGE as a major player in space technology while expanding its portfolio of next-generation solutions.
FADA’s mission is to develop sovereign space capabilities and homegrown technologies in the UAE, supporting the nation’s strategic interests in defence and advanced technology. By fostering national and international partnerships and utilising Transfer of Technology (ToT) and Transfer of Knowledge (ToK), FADA aims to build a self-sufficient space sector to meet both national and commercial needs. This initiative will also contribute to the UAE’s transition to a knowledge-based economy and its broader goals of economic diversification.
Speaking about the new company, Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, EDGE Group, said: “The launch of FADA will enable EDGE to grow and fortify its position in the global space industry in line with the UAE’s vision of becoming a leader in space technologies, creating the blueprint for a self-sufficient and innovative ecosystem. This landmark development also adds next-generation solutions to our product portfolio, representing a strategic leap towards technological excellence and signalling our broader ambitions to be a disruptor in this critical domain.”
As a key part of EDGE’s strategic vision, FADA will establish cutting-edge facilities for the development, manufacturing, integration, and testing of satellite systems and subsystems. It will offer comprehensive space solutions, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Optical (EO), Infrared (IR) payloads, satellite platforms and satellite cybersecurity services.
Waleid Al Mesmari, President, Space & Cyber Technologies, EDGE, added: “With the launch of FADA, EDGE reinforces its commitment to pioneering advanced technologies and forging local and global partnerships to establish next-generation facilities for the development of satellite systems, while building a sustainable and skilled space-focused workforce. We are pleased to drive this forward-thinking initiative which not only enhances our national capabilities and drives us positively towards a knowledge-based economy, but also sets a new benchmark in the global space landscape.”
This announcement follows EDGE’s selection in November 2023 as the prime contractor for the UAE Space Agency’s Sirb programme, which aims to launch a constellation of SAR satellites. The first satellite, Sirb-1, is expected to launch by 2026, marking the first national space capability-building program led by a UAE-based industrial consortium. The initiative will also expand collaboration with industry players, SMEs, and start-ups to further strengthen the UAE’s space expertise.
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