Sky’s not the limit
FIRST OFFICIAL PHOTO BY KHALIFASAT IS A MYSTERY AND WILL BE REVEALED LATER
Around the time Dubai residents braced for the morning rush hour traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road, thousands of kilometres away, a very special Emirati package was hurled into space from a Japanese island yesterday.
A rocket carrying Made in UAE KhalifaSat lifted from Tanegashima Space Centre in south Japan shortly after 8am and entered into a low orbit at an altitude of 613km 85 minutes later.
Soon after, the 330 kilogramme satellite beamed its first signal to the ground station at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai’s Al Khawaneej area. Now, it is orbiting at a speed of 7km per second and will revolve around Earth 14 times every day.
In their messages after the historic event, the UAE leaders said the launch “marks a new national phase” and Emiratis have proven their ability, maturity, knowledge and determination to compete globally.
Capable of taking images of 70 cm long objects to 36 kilometres wide countryside, the first official photo by KhalifaSat is a mystery and will be revealed later.
The launch of KhalifaSat, the first Arab satellite that is 100% Emirati-made, is another historic day for the UAE. It marks a new national phase in which Emiratis have proven their ability, maturity, knowledge and determination to compete globally, with our heads held high.” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
HThe launch of KhalifaSat, the first Arab satellite that is 100% Emirati-made, is another historic day for the UAE. It marks a new national phase in which Emiratis have proven their ability, maturity, knowledge and determination to compete globally, with our heads held high.”
istory was made at 8.08am yesterday when the UAE’s KhalifaSat, the first allEmirati made satellite, was successfully launched into space, creating a milestone in the UAE’s space ambitions that extend beyond a century.
KhalifaSat was launched at the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan and entered into a low earth orbit at 9.33am UAE time, 85 minutes after its launch. The first signal was received at the ground station at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which developed the satellite. Three MBRSC teams were in Japan to oversee the launch while another team was at the MBRSC ground station to receive the first signal. The teams erupted in joy as soon as orbital insertion was confirmed, marking launch success.
How did the UAE leadership react to the launch?
Messages of congratulations poured in immediately after the launch. “[This is] a historic day for the UAE… A milestone for UAE as Emiratis have proven their ability, maturity, knowledge and ambition, joining the global space race with our heads held high,” said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Calling the launch an “unprecedented Emirati achievement,” His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tweeted: “Our dream to embrace space has become a reality for our young people… We are proud our youth, of Zayed’s children and their achievements that show that Arabs are able to compete and lead.”
An unprecedented Emirati achievement in launching the first satellite, KhalifaSat, made in the UAE. Our dream to embrace space has become a reality created by our youth, who are initiating a new phase of scientific challenge. We are proud of Emirati youth, the children of Zayed, whose achievements show that Arabs can compete and lead.”
Why is the launch of this satellite so historic?
While the UAE has launched satellites earlier — such as the DubaiSat series — KhalifaSat is the first 100 per cent Emiratimade satellite. It was built from scratch on UAE soil by highly qualified Emirati engineers at MBRSC. It bagged five patents and developed seven space innovations that have given the satellite an enhanced digital camera and other unrivalled features. For a country which nurtures the ambition of setting up a human colony in Mars, this is a huge step towards setting new benchmarks for indigenous capability in its space programme.
Why is UAE developing its own space programme?
It is estimated that the global space economy today is worth more than $350 billion, out of which 76 per cent is business revenues. The UAE’s entry into the space arena aims to tap into this sector with an investment of more than Dh22 billion in space projects. Hence, the KhalifaSat’s launch is just the beginning of the country’s long journey into space. “We started this vision with the higher leadership in the UAE 12 years ago. KhalifaSat represents a catalyst in having a space industry in the UAE that
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan | Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
will build an ecosystem around us,” said Amer Al Sayegh, the project manager of KhalifaSat.
What will KhalifaSat do now that it’s in orbit?
As an Earth Observation satellite, KhalifaSat will orbit the Earth from pole to pole at a distance of 613km.The satellite works essentially like a specialised camera in space powered by the sun. To give you an idea, it’s like the Earth taking highresolution selfies continuously. The MBRSC has about a week to manage the satellite telemetries, a feature that collects information about target objects that are far away and then sends it to the ground station at MBRSC.
What will the KhalifaSat images be used for?
The images will be used to monitor a range of issues – from environmental changes and the impact of global warming, to urban planning and support for relief efforts during natural disasters.
What’s the first image to be taken by KhalifaSat?
The first official photo of KhalifaSat will be that of a “unique place” on earth that will be revealed later on.
The launch of KhalifaSat is a renewed indicator that the UAE is keeping up with the present, and going in the right direction. Science and technology is a priority for the UAE and the Arab world.”
Anwar Gargash |
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs