OPeN miNDs KhalifaSat has catapulted UAE to elite space league
It’s commendable that during the Year of Zayed, the UAE has made a mark among the top countries in the world. The successful launch of KhalifaSat on October 29 has catapulted the country into the league of powerful countries. The fact that the space satellite was designed, developed and manufactured solely by Emiratis is proof of the UAE’s strong standing and presence among nations.
The UAE’s space endeavours include eight other multi-purpose satellites placed into orbit with plans to launch 12 by 2020, a significant milestone in the nation’s strategy to make the space industry one of the most dynamic and vital investment sectors.
KhalifaSat’s successful launch and other space accomplishments are not only indicative of the UAE’s space industries’ advancement, but also mark a qualitative shift in its global power ranking.
The UAE’s readiness to embark on such projects since 2013, and its ability to construct its first-ever satellite by young and highly skilled Emirati engineers aged between 27 and 28 years, embodies the leadership’s commitment to involving youth for the sake of the nation’s future. This, in turn, highlights the importance of the UAE’s integrated development objectives, making the country a central hub for technological development and advancement in sciences not only regionally, but also globally. Worth noting is the UAE investing over Dh22 billion towards the space industry to assist across multiple sectors including the environment sector.
The fact that millions watched the launch of KhalifaSat from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre is heartening and reflects the strong bonds of partnership between the UAE and nations across the world. The UAE’s aim is to ensure safety, peace and security for humanity.
The launch of KhalifaSat is a testament to the UAE’s space industry strategy aspirations and is reflective of the country’s leadership and drive to spread a message of tolerance while at the same time strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global player.