Falcon Eye joins UAE’S satellites to mark National Day in space
Equipped with a High-resolution Imager, the satellite is the fourth reconnaissance satellite launched by the UAE, bringing the total number to 12 satellites in orbit
To mark its 49th National Day, the UAE launched the surveillance satellite Falcon Eye into space from the French Guiana Space Centre, in South America, at 5:33am UAE time (01:33 GMT).
The Soyuz ST-A rocket lited off from the launch complex in French Guiana and the earthobservation satellite separated 58 minutes ater burning by the Fregat upper stage.
Equipped with a High-resolution Imager, the satellite is the fourth reconnaissance satellite launched by the UAE, bringing the total number to 12 satellites in orbit.
The data it transmits back to the ground control station will be used for mapping, agricultural monitoring, urban planning and monitoring changes in the environment, helping with response planning for natural disasters, and monitoring the UAE’S borders and coasts.
Fited with an earth-observation payload, with very-high-resolution optical capabilities, the satellite will remain in Low Earth Orbit for 10 years, taking high quality imagery of the ground below to relay to ground control station.
The project began five years ago and was implemented by many experienced engineers and technicians from the UAE Armed Forces specialising in mega project management and military and space systems who were joined by foreign experts.
ABDULLAH ATTENDS MOFAIC’S 49TH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, atended a soiree organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, in observance of the 49th UAE National Day.
The function, which was held in accordance with the precautionary and preventive measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, was atended by Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, along with other ministerial assistants, Assistant Undersecretaries, and a number of ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE.
The event commenced with the rendition of the UAE national anthem followed by a welcome speech by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“I would like to thank everyone here present with us and celebrating our 49th anniversary. Today, we celebrate, as brothers and sisters in humanity, our joint action to solve problems and look toward the future,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
“Your presence with us today is not only to celebrate our National Day, but also to celebrate the presence of your nations throughout the journey of the United Arab Emirates; it’s this presence which made this voyage much more interesting and successful and we hope that it will be fruiful for many years, decades and centuries for all of us.”
He added, “We are proud of the status of the relations the UAE has been developing with the rest of the world; however the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that this is never enough, and that we have to do more; we have to look to each other as brothers and sisters in humanity and address these challenges as one family while searching for hope.
“When we decided in the United Arab Emirates to launch a mission to explore Mars, we decided to call it “Hope Probe”. This is what we are longing for in the region; and with your participation, efforts and dedication to this relationship, I hope to see more hope. Thank you!”
Reviewing the achievements of the UAE in 2020, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar underlined the importance of the UAE National Day for everyone living in the Emirates.
He extended his congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, along with Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates and to the government and people of the UAE on the occasion of the 49th National Day.
Al Marar added: “Today we celebrate an anniversary which is so dear to our hearts. The year 2020 witnessed a myriad of achievements in several fields at the national, regional and international levels.”