The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the successful launch of the Emirati satellite KhalifaSat into orbit.
KhalifaSat is the first Emirati satellite to be 100% developed at the facilities of MBRSC in the UAE by Emirati engineers and marks a new era of travel and UAE national capability.
One of the most advanced earth observation satellites, KhalifaSat was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan, aboard the H-IIA rocket at 1:08 pm Japan time (8:08 am UAE time).
Crown Prince of Dubai and President of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum followed the first contact made by the satellite with the ground station in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
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Sheikh Hamdan said: “Today, we celebrate a significant national achievement. This project has been 100% developed by Emiratis.
“The UAE is a key partner in the global efforts to make the world a happier and better place through scientific advances.
“We thank the team that launched KhalifaSat and encourage them to work harder to bring more achievements to this great nation.”
KhalifaSat is two metres high and weighs only 330kg.
Its speed is estimated at 7km/s, which enables it to orbit the Earth almost 14 and a half cycles daily.
His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, said, “We are proud of the successful launch of KhalifaSat, which bears the name of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
“Launching this satellite during the Year of Zayed emphasises the determination of Emiratis to achieve the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed that building a nation begins with investing in its people who are the foundation of any development and real progress.”
