UAE achieves 50% completion milestone of MBZ-SAT satellite
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center has announced that the construction and assembly tasks for the "MBZ-Sat" satellite have reached a completion rate of 50%. The satellite is slated for launch in the latter part of this year.
Engineer Amer Al-Sayegh, the Assistant Director General for Space Engineering at the Center and Director of the "MBZ-Sat" project, described the satellite as the second one to be developed by the Center's specialized team of citizen engineers. It is touted as the most advanced satellite in the region, particularly in the domain of high-resolution space photography. Al-Sayegh expects full assembly to wrap up before the first half of the year, following which it will undergo final technical checks before being launched aboard a SpaceX (Falcon 9) rocket in the United States.
This update was provided during a recent media briefing organized by the Center, attended by its Director General, Engineer Salem Al Marri, and Engineer Adnan Al Rayes, the Assistant Director General of Space Exploration Operations and Director of the "Mars 2117" Program.
Al-Sayegh highlighted that the Center's team has conducted technical tests on the satellite's components and parts, with the majority being manufactured by local and national companies. Notably, 90% of the mechanical systems and 100% of the cables were developed domestically, along with 50% of the electronic systems.
Regarding the launch, coordination is underway with partners to determine the launch ports, timing, and optimal conditions for a successful operation. The satellite is expected to operate in orbit for approximately eight years.
The "MBZ-Sat," named after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was entirely developed within the UAE. It was designed and manufactured at the Center in Dubai's Al Khawaneej area, making it a 100% national endeavor. Contributions from the Emirati private sector, including raw materials such as aluminum and cables, further solidify its status as a homegrown industry.
The satellite, built over a four-year period, promises enhanced image capture accuracy and increased data transmission speed. It boasts a fully automated system capable of scheduling and processing image transmissions, with technology like jet propulsion facilitating its movement in outer space. Applications for the images and data provided by the satellite span diverse fields, from urban planning to disaster management and environmental monitoring, meeting the burgeoning commercial demand for high-resolution satellite imagery.
