All eyes on UAE-built remote sensing satellite launch today

IT WILL LIFT OFF FROM JAPAN SPACE CENTRE AT 8.08AM UAE TIME

Wherever you may be in the UAE today, you won’t miss the action in Japan when the UAE’s KhalifaSat blasts off to space at 8.08am (UAE time) as it will be live-streamed on different channels.

The first remote sensing satellite built from scratch in the UAE, the KhalifaSat will be launched on an H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Centre, an island to the south of Japan.

Top officials of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will be at the Takesaki Observation Stand, 3km away from the launch pad, to watch the launch.

Sunny weather

The Tanegashima island is expected to have sunny weather with patchy clouds this afternoon, according to Accuweather.

Barring any weather changes or technical issues, the launch should proceed as planned. The launch window is between 8.08am and 8.20am.

The live-stream on MBRSC’s website and social media channels will begin at 7am in the UAE. Dubai TV will also have a live broadcast.

Once in space, the satellite will pass over Australia to take detailed snapshots of the Earth that can be used for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and other commercial purposes.

Amer Al Sayegh, KhalifaSat Project Manager at MBRSC, said the KhalifaSat’s launch is a historic moment for the UAE.

“The message is this is a celebration for the country. It’s the UAE saying we are now in a new league in space development, a space era in the UAE. We are celebrating the name of our leader, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. His name will now be in space and this is something the whole UAE is proud of,” Al Sayegh told Gulf News.