UAE Celebrates Successful Launch of MBZ-SAT Earth Imaging Satellite

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the United Arab Emirates successfully launched the MBZ-SAT which is the most sophisticated observation satellite in the area on Tuesday night 14th January and marked a significant turning point for Middle Eastern space exploration.

Using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the MBZ-SAT successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Not just the Middle east but MBZ-SAT also marks a significant advancement in the UAE’s space exploration activities.

The SAT which was created entirely by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) would help to handle disasters and enhance people’s lives by producing high resolution photos continuously that can capture details as small as one square meter. Its capabilities are ten times more productive than the center’s existing output by distributing gathered data three times faster and providing instant advantages to improve several sectors.

At SpaceX facilities in the United States, the MBRSC team successfully finished the satellite’s last testing. 

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Taking pride in the new milestone for the country’s space industry, the Crown Prince of Dubai said the MBZ-SAT “reflects the UAE’s commitment to harnessing innovation to serve humanity across the world”. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE said that “The satellite will significantly contribute to our development and sustainability efforts.”  

Weighing 750kg and measuring 3m x 5m, the MBZ-SAT “delivers twice the image resolution, ten times more images, and data transmission speeds four times faster than current systems” Sheikh Hamdan said. It is equipped with advanced electric propulsion, precise navigation and a high resolution camera, it can deliver precision in imaging locations which supports applications like environmental monitoring, infrastructure management and disaster relief.