Maps of Dubai, Abu Dhabi just a click away

KhalifaSat’s Mosaic system pieces together satellite images to create pictures of UAE terrain

The maps of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been updated using high-resolution images captured by KhalifaSat, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced yesterday.

The UAE’s first high-resolution satellite imaging system called ‘Mosaic’ pieced together individual digital images to create a single high-resolution picture of the UAE terrain.

Aside from KhalifaSat, MBRSC also owns remote sensing satellites DubaiSat1 and DubaiSat2. These satellites have helped produce several scientific reports and studies that are dedicated to observing and monitoring our planet.

Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, directorgeneral of MBRSC, said: “This type of satellite imagery is relevant to stakeholders in infrastructure, urban planning, environment and climate change sectors, energy, education, technology, roads and transportation, among others, in the UAE.”

MBRSC collected images of a specific geographic area through KhalifaSat at specific intervals ranging from days or months.

The images were then combined to form a single comprehensive image with a high visual resolution of up to 0.7 metres in TIFF format. This is in addition to the satellite’s 90km land coverage. Mosaic differs from other satellite images as it has higher image resolution and clarity due to the use of Georeferencing system and other modern technologies. Ammar Saif Al Muhairi, head of image processing section, MBRSC, said: “The image correction phase is followed by enhancing contrast and various corrections. Finally, the colours of the satellite images are matched and blended, followed by the testing of the outcome by the relevant team, and ensuring its correctness before finally releasing it.”