Gulf Today

MBRSC preparing to launch Khalifasat

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DUBAI: A team from Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, have conducted the final technical tests on Khalifasat, which arrived at TANEGASHIM­A SPACE Centre In JAPAN. Khalifasat was prepared for mating with the launch vehicle, Rocket H-IIA, and has been successful­ly installed into it and is awaiting launch on Oct 29. THE satellite Is stored within A specially designed area called the Vehicle assembly building, vab, until the launch date. Khalifasat must be present In this AREA For ive to 40 Days before the launch date.

Technical tests were conducted on Khalifasat to determine its safety on the rocket H-IIA. These tests include a functional verificati­on test to confirm that All the sub-systems are working well, battery safety testing, and other related tests. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries providing the team with all the necessary facilities to carry out these tests.

Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Directorge­neral of MBRSC, said, “Conducting THE TECHNICAL tests on KHALIFASAT THE irst satellite developed 100 per cent in the UAE is an important step in preparatio­n for its launch From TANEGASHIM­A SPACE Centre In JAPAN. THE Centre was SELECTED As It Is as the largest rocket launch complex in JAPAN AND one of THE rare sites In THE world that allows satellites and other spacecraft into orbit, due to its facilities which help to achieve a series of operations such as Assembling SPACECRAFT, MAINTENANC­E, inal testing of satellites, installing spacecraft, follow-up after installati­on, and tracking of spacecraft after take-off.”

Al Shaibani stressed that MBRSC is committed to implementi­ng the directives of the UAE leadership, achieving its objectives towards space exploratio­n and investment, and increasing efforts to develop this sector by promoting innovation and enhancing the skills of Emirati youth. He added that these dedicated Emirati youth are the reason for the completion of Khalifasat, which will launch soon to BEGIN Its ive-year planned mission LIFE to provide informatio­n aimed at improving the quality of life.

Amer Al Sayegh, Khalifasat Project Manager at MBRSC, said, “Conducting the technical tests on Khalifasat at TANEGASHIM­A SPACE Centre on SCHEDULE relects THE success of MBRSC’S plan to launch it on Oct 29. It also shows the high level of profession­alism of the 70 male and female Emirati engineers working on this huge project.”

Mb rs chad previously announced that OCT 29 Is THE OFICIAL DATE For THE launch of Khalifasat, into orbit aboard H-IIA rocket At THE TANEGASHIM­A SPACE Centre In JAPAN For A planned mission LIFE of ive years. For this, MBRSC is partnering with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, MHI, AND THE JAPAN AEROSPACE Exploratio­n AGENCY, JAXA.

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