Home-grown satellite lifts off into space
MYSAT-1, BUILT BY KHALIFA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, WILL TAKE IMAGES OF THE EARTH FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
Built by Khalifa University students, MySat-1 will take Earth images for studies |
MySat-1, a new satellite developed by students of the UAE-based Khalifa University of Science and Technology, was successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday, officials announced.
Once in orbit at the beginning of next year, the miniature box-like satellite will take pictures of the UAE and the Earth from space for educational purposes.
The launch took place at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, USA, and was attended by a group of Khalifa University students and faculty who participated in the development of the nanosatellite, also known as CubeSat.
Besides demonstrating the process of remote sensing, the satellite’s payload includes an innovative lithium-ion battery developed at Khalifa University to be tested in the extreme temperatures and radiation in space. Yesterday’s milestone follows last month’s launch of KhalifaSat — the first all-Emirati satellite developed by the Dubai-based Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre for earth observation.
The much smaller MySat-1 — measuring just 10cm on each side — was developed in the Yahsat Space Lab in Abu Dhabi by 20 students of Khalifa University. Yahsat, the UAEbased global satellite operator, Khalifa University and Northrop Grumman Corporation — a leading global security company — yesterday announced the launch of the MySat-1 to ISS on board the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft.
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice-president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The successful launch of MySat-1, developed and built by students of Khalifa University’s Master’s Concentration in Space Systems and Technology, demonstrates that our university possesses the academic and scientific rigour required to transform the UAE’s promising students into tomorrow’s space engineers and scientists. Through our Small Satellite Programme and the Master’s Concentration, Khalifa University is proud to play a critical role in the UAE’s broader space ambitions.”
Muna Al Muhairi, chief human capital officer at Yahsat, said: “We are committed to developing the national talent pool through providing talent with unique opportunities to enhance their capabilities and drive innovation.”
Specialised facilities
MySat-1 is the first CubeSat built at the Yahsat Space Lab at Khalifa University. The laboratory was opened last year at Masdar Institute in collaboration with Yahsat and Orbital ATK — part of Northrop Grumman.
The lab offers students of Khalifa University’s Master’s Concentration in Space Systems and Technology the facilities required to construct, test and launch miniature satellites called CubeSats. The high-tech and specialised facilities serve as a platform for future research in space technologies, allowing entities such as the UAE Space Agency to work with the faculty on collaborative projects.
“The launch of MySat-1 is the culmination of the hard work on the part of the Khalifa University students over the past three years,” said Frank Culbertson, president, space systems group, Northrop Grumman.