Made-in-UAE satellite all set for launch

abu dhabi — KhalifaSat, the first satellite fully built in the UAE by a team of highly qualified Emirati engineers, will be launched into orbit before the end of the year, a top official has revealed. The satellite will be launched from the ground station in Japan aboard the rocket, H-IIA.

The UAE Space Agency is also planning to launch another satellite dedicated for educational and research purposes in the coming few months, Dr Mohamed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency, said.

Once these launches are completed, the UAE will have 10 multipurpose satellites, raising the UAE investment in the space sector to Dh22 billion.

“KhalifaSat marks a critical milestone in the nature and form of the UAE’s investment in the space industry. It is a source of inspiration for Emirati generations because it is the first satellite to be fully manufactured in the UAE. It is considered one of the first productions of the advanced technology industry in the UAE. This satellite was designed and manufactured by a large team of qualified Emirati engineers.

“KhalifaSat will usher the UAE into the space manufacturing sector,” he said.

The satellite will provide highquality detailed imagery for a variety of uses. The images will meet the needs of government organisations and private sector enterprises locally and globally.

“KhalifaSat clearly indicates how the UAE leadership thoroughly plans and looks at the space sector as one of the most promising industries in the future,” Dr Al Ahbabi added.

Mars probe

Dr Al Ahbabi said that work is progressing as scheduled on sending the first Arab and Islamic probe to Mars from Japan by 2020 to reach the red planet by 2021, in celebration of the golden jubilee of the union of the UAE.

“The Hope Probe is one of the vital projects in the global space sector and it opens a new window of hope for young Arab scientists to

KhalifaSat is a source of inspiration for Emirati generations because it is the first satellite to be fully manufactured in the UAE. Dr Mohamed Nasser Al Ahbabi,

Director-General of UAE Space Agency

restore the Arab and Islamic prominence and leadership. The project provides an ideal platform for education, training and transfer of expertise, knowledge and modern technology.

“The programme is fully funded and supervised by the UAE Space Agency, while the probe is being developed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in collaboration with international partners. The objectives of the mission include building Emirati human resources that are highly qualified in space technology, developing knowledge, scientific research and space applications to benefit mankind.”

The mission will help to promote the UAE’s efforts in scientific explorations, and to build international partnerships in the sector to promote the position of the UAE.

Space sector hub

The director of the UAE Space Agency indicated that the UAE is aspiring to become a regional centre for space science and technology by forging constructive partnerships with international organisations.

“So far, we have signed 25 agreements

with major international space agencies and institutions. We are planning to conclude two memoranda of understanding shortly,” he disclosed.

According to an official report, the UAE investments in the space technology rose from Dh20 billion

in 2015 to more than Dh22 billion in the first half of 2018. The global aerospace industry is estimated at $300 billion.

The UAE has a pioneering experience in the space field, as four Emirati satellites are currently orbiting around the earth. —