UAE Announces Plans for Second Emirati-Built Satellite
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a new satellite project called the MBZ-SAT.
This will become the second Emirati satellite to be fully developed and built by a team of Emirati engineers after the KhalifaSat.
To be developed at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai, the MBZ-SAT is expected to be launched in 2023, making it the most advanced commercial satellite in the region in the field of high-resolution satellite imagery.
The new satellite was named after His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Bearing the initials of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the MBZ-SAT is yet another national achievement that strengthens the UAE’s position in the field of space science.
Commenting on the occasion, HH Sheikh Mohammed said: "The space sector is a key strategic sector that we strongly support, due to its role in improving the quality of life for people and providing humanity with innovative solutions for a better future.
"With the help of our national talent, we can raise the level of our ambitions and continue to support international efforts in the field of space science to serve the interests of both the region and the world.”
UAE’s KhalifaSat Launched into Space
Launched into space in October 2018, KhalifaSat was the first satellite to be designed and completely developed in the UAE by a 100% Emirati team.
Work on the KhalifaSat started in 2013 and was the first satellite to be developed in the Arab world, ushering a new era in the field of space science and advanced technology for the region.
MBZ-SAT will be equipped with an automated system for arranging images round-the-clock, ensuring that it provides the highest quality standards of satellite images intended for commercial use globally.
As the fourth Earth observation satellite to be developed and launched by MBRSC,the project will strengthen the Centre’s efforts to expand its portfolio of imaging technologies and products for government agencies and commercial entities worldwide.
MBZ-SAT will contribute to meeting the growing commercial demand for high-resolution satellite images that will show details within an area of less than one square meter, which will be one of the most advanced features ever.
The 3m x 5m satellite, weighing in at around 700 kg, will improve image capture resolution by more than double what is capable in the previously launched system.
It will also increase the downlink data transmission speed by thrice the current capacity. The fully automated image scheduling and processing system of MBZ-SAT will also be able to produce more than 10 times the images the Centre produces currently.
The MBZ-SAT will be the first satellite capable of detecting a larger number of man-made as well as natural elements with a higher rate of precision and resolution, as compared to the current range of Earth observation satellites.
Read More: KhalifaSat Captures Lockdown Images of World Airports
