FADA
FADA, an EDGE Group subsidiary launched in September 2024, designs and manufactures sovereign earth observation satellite subsystems - SAR, multispectral optics, infrared, platforms, and ground stations - primarily serving the UAE Space Agency's Sirb programme and other government customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersAbu Dhabi
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FADA does
FADA is a UAE-based sovereign space technology company incorporated in September 2024 as a wholly owned subsidiary of EDGE Group PJSC, operating inside EDGE's Space & Cyber Technologies cluster from its headquarters at EDGE HQ on Channel Street, Abu Dhabi. The company designs and manufactures advanced satellite payloads and platform subsystems centred on earth observation, covering synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electro-optical/multispectral sensors, and infrared imaging, and supplies supporting ground infrastructure including satellite ground stations and terminals. Beyond hardware, FADA offers satellite cybersecurity, space situational awareness, space early warning systems, GNSS services, and data processing and commercialisation for satellite-derived products.
The company's revenue model blends hardware sales (tailored satellite payloads, platform subsystems, ground stations), professional services (satellite cybersecurity, AIT for programmes like Sirb, space training and consultancy), and data monetisation from satellite-collected earth observation. Pricing is bespoke and negotiated per programme rather than published; contracts flow through a single direct-government-sales channel with no field-sales distribution outside institutional buyers. The primary customer is the UAE Space Agency, with FADA serving as prime contractor in the consortium for the Sirb sovereign SAR satellite programme and engaging international technology partners such as ST Engineering and Orbitworks under explicit Transfer of Knowledge agreements to localise capability within the UAE.
The business is structured around a UAE national-strategic mandate rather than a commercial go-to-market: FADA describes itself as a one-stop shop for earth-observation space services and explicitly lists partnerships, ToK arrangements, SME collaboration, and selective acquisitions as its growth instruments. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-government, with no disclosed SMB or long-tail channel, and pricing opacity means revenue is not externally verifiable beyond the corporate parent.
FADA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FADA
- Legal name
- FADA
- Website
- https://fadaspace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FADA, an EDGE Group subsidiary launched in September 2024, designs and manufactures sovereign earth observation satellite subsystems - SAR, multispectral optics, infrared, platforms, and ground stations - primarily serving the UAE Space Agency's Sirb programme and other government customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FADA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Satellite Systems and Earth Observation Space Technology
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)
Keywords
Where FADA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abu Dhabi
Offices1 record
Markets served
FADA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Satellite Manufacturing and Subsystems: Design and manufacture of tailored satellite payloads and platform subsystems to meet customer specifications
- Ground Station Solutions: Design and manufacture of satellite ground stations and related infrastructure
- Satellite Cybersecurity Services: Cybersecurity services and solutions for satellite protection and operations
- Data Processing and Commercialisation: Processing and commercializing satellite-derived data and earth observation products
- Space Training and Consultancy: Training services and consultancy for space technologies and operations
- Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Services: AIT services for satellite assembly, integration, and testing as part of national programmes like Sirb
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
FADA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FADA designs, manufactures, and integrates satellite subsystems and earth observation payloads, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electro-optical/multispectral, and infrared sensors, mounted on satellite platforms with associated ground stations and terminals. It also provides satellite cybersecurity, data processing and commercialization of remote sensing products, assembly/integration/testing (AIT) services, and space training and consultancy for government and institutional customers.
Product overview
FADA is a UAE-based space company and part of EDGE Group's Space & Cyber Technologies cluster, providing a comprehensive one-stop shop for earth observation space services. The product portfolio centers on advanced satellite payloads and subsystems for earth observation, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, electro-optical/multispectral sensors, and infrared imaging systems, which are integrated into satellite platforms. Supporting infrastructure includes satellite ground stations and terminals. The offering extends to satellite cybersecurity solutions, space situational awareness, early warning systems, and GNSS navigation services. FADA also provides data processing and commercialisation services for collected earth observation data, along with space training and consultancy. The company operates across two main spheres: remote sensing technologies (SAR, optics, infrared) and manufacturing equipment/platforms with related software technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Payloads High-performance radar imaging satellite payloads using synthetic aperture radar for all-weather, day-and-night earth observation, designed for government and institutional customers requiring sovereign SAR imaging capability.
- Electro-Optical Imaging Systems (Multispectral) Optical satellite payloads with multispectral sensors for capturing imagery across multiple spectral bands, enabling detailed visual and spectral earth observation for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management applications.
- Infrared Imaging Payloads Infrared satellite sensors for thermal imaging and earth observation, supporting applications such as environmental monitoring and disaster management for government and institutional customers.
- Satellite Platforms Satellite bus/platform subsystems that serve as the structural and operational foundation for housing and operating earth observation payloads, designed and manufactured to customer specifications.
- Satellite Ground Stations Ground-based satellite communication and control stations for satellite operations, data reception, and command and control, tailored to customer requirements for earth observation missions.
- Satellite Terminals Satellite communication terminals for establishing and maintaining connectivity with space-based systems, supporting earth observation and related mission operations.
- Satellite Cybersecurity Solutions Cybersecurity services and solutions specifically designed for satellite systems, providing protection for space-based assets and operations for government and institutional customers.
- Space Situational Awareness Services for monitoring and tracking space objects and orbital activities to ensure safe satellite operations and situational awareness for space-based assets.
- Space Early Warning Systems Systems designed to detect and provide alerts for potential threats or significant events in the space domain, supporting national security and satellite protection.
- Navigation/GNSS Services Global Navigation Satellite System services for positioning, navigation, and timing applications supporting satellite and ground-based operations.
- Earth Observation Data Processing and Commercialization Processing, analysis, and commercial distribution of satellite-collected earth observation data, including remote sensing analytics for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management.
- Space Training and Consultancy Professional training and consulting services for space-related technologies, satellite development, and space sector expertise, supporting transfer of knowledge and capability building for institutional clients.
- Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Services Assembly, integration, and testing services for satellites as part of national programmes such as Sirb, supporting sovereign localization of high-performance radar imaging satellite production and qualification.
Companies that use FADA
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FADA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
FADA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.
- OrbitworkscoreFADA signed a contract with Orbitworks, an Abu Dhabi-based satellite integrator, to support assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) capabilities on Sirb-1. The partnership includes a Transfer of Knowledge (ToK) programme to develop and permanently localise AIT for SAR payload technologies within the UAE. Orbitworks brings its AIT facility at KEZAD, purpose-built for high-volume satellite production and environmental qualification testing.
- Space42supportingCollaboration on the Nationwide Space Roadshow initiative in partnership with UAE Space Agency. Space42 participated alongside FADA to inspire future space innovators through workshops and presentations at Emirati educational institutions.
- ST EngineeringcorePartnership to advance the UAE's Sirb programme for SAR satellite development. ST Engineering brings expertise to support SAR satellite development and national space expertise development in the UAE.
- UAE Space AgencyflagshipFADA serves as prime contractor in an Emirati consortium for the Sirb programme, a UAE Space Agency-led initiative to develop and launch sovereign SAR satellite capabilities. The programme is led and funded by UAE Space Agency, representing a strategic national investment.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FADA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Satellogic: Emerging operator of high-resolution earth observation satellites with multispectral and SAR-adjacent capabilities. Comparable to FADA in scaling a sovereign-anchored EO constellation and serving government customers.
Broad incumbents
- Maxar Technologies: US-based leader in high-resolution optical earth observation satellites and geospatial intelligence. Comparable to FADA's optical imaging payload focus, though at a much larger, publicly traded scale.
- Airbus Defence and Space: European aerospace prime with extensive SAR (e.g., TerraSAR-X) and optical earth observation capabilities. Comparable to FADA across satellite payloads, platforms, and data services, though as part of a much broader portfolio.
- Lockheed Martin Space: US defence prime with extensive satellite manufacturing, SAR/radar payload, and space systems capabilities. Comparable to FADA in satellite platforms and radar-based payloads for defence and intelligence customers.
- Thales Alenia Space: Major European satellite manufacturer with deep expertise in SAR, optical, and infrared earth observation payloads, plus satellite buses. Comparable to FADA's full-stack satellite manufacturing offering but at much larger scale.
Direct peers
- Capella Space: US-based SAR satellite operator and payload manufacturer offering high-resolution all-weather imagery. Comparable to FADA's SAR earth observation business model and government/defense customer focus.
- ICEYE: Finland-headquartered operator of the world's largest commercial SAR satellite constellation. Directly comparable to FADA in SAR payload manufacturing and earth observation focus, with both targeting government and commercial customers.
- Umbra Space: US-based SAR satellite company operating its own constellation and offering tasking services. Directly comparable to FADA in SAR payload technology and earth observation data commercialization.
- ST Engineering (satellite division): Singapore-based technology group with satellite manufacturing and SAR payload expertise, and a current FADA partner on Sirb. Comparable in payload development, satellite platforms, and government programme execution.
Regional players
- Space42: UAE-based space and satellite technology company formed from the merger of Yahsat and Bayanat. Comparable as a domestic UAE space peer with overlapping earth observation and satellite communications capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FADA social profiles
Digital presenceFADA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FADA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
FADA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FADA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FADA
What does FADA do?
FADA designs, manufactures, and integrates satellite subsystems and earth observation payloads, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electro-optical/multispectral, and infrared sensors, mounted on satellite platforms with associated ground stations and terminals. It also provides satellite cybersecurity, data processing and commercialization of remote sensing products, assembly/integration/testing (AIT) services, and space training and consultancy for government and institutional customers.
Is FADA a public or private company?
FADA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was FADA founded?
FADA was founded in 2024. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is FADA based?
FADA is headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
How does FADA make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Satellite Manufacturing and Subsystems are the primary driver. The others are ground Station Solutions, satellite Cybersecurity Services, data Processing and Commercialisation, space Training and Consultancy and assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Services.
Who are FADA's main competitors?
Satellogic is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Maxar Technologies, Airbus Defence and Space, Lockheed Martin Space and Thales Alenia Space. Direct peers are Capella Space, ICEYE, Umbra Space and ST Engineering (satellite division). Space42 is listed as a regional player.
Does FADA have an API?
No public API is recorded for FADA.
What industry is FADA in?
FADA's product category is Satellite Systems and Earth Observation Space Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.