UAE Establishes Space Reconnaissance Center

As part of the United Arab Emirates’ general technology drive, and in line with its move to netcentric warfare operations, a Space Reconnaissance Center has been established to receive and disseminate reconnaissance data from satellites. It is also being developed to handle downlinked information from other platforms, such as UAVs, aerostats and manned aircraft. The center is a remote sensing station that employs advanced capabilities for tasking satellite sensors, and for receiving, processing and analyzing imagery in a variety of forms–optical, infrared and radar. The center produces imagery and intelligence based on requests from end-users. As well as its military applications, the SRC also works closely with civilian agencies to support water exploration, agriculture, oil and mineral survey, city planning and mapping activities. It also has a key role in disaster relief operations.