The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the launch of UAE's most advanced satellite, MBZ-SAT.
MBZ-SAT was successfully launched on Tuesday, January 14, at 11.09pm local time from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.
This is the second Emirati-built satellite that was catapulted into the earth's orbit. On board the SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, it blasted off with a compact yet powerful CubeSat, HCT-SAT 1.
The launch, conducted in partnership with SpaceX, is a significant milestone in the UAE's ambitious space exploration journey. The satellite, named in honour of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has already undergone extensive testing at SpaceX’s facilities in the USA, where it was integrated onto the Falcon 9 rocket.
The project, first announced in 2020 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, underscores the nation’s commitment to space technology.
MBZ-SAT
Weighing in at 750 kg, the MBZ-SAT is the most advanced satellite of its kind in the region. It boasts remarkable imaging accuracy – twice that of its predecessors – and is capable of providing ten times more imagery with rapid data delivery, processed within two hours. The satellite’s advanced features include a high-resolution camera, electric propulsion, and precise navigation, enabling it to monitor everything from environmental changes to infrastructure development and disaster relief.
MBZ-SAT’s advanced technology will provide vital data for applications like environmental monitoring, climate change tracking, and disaster management. Its sophisticated systems offer an unparalleled level of precision, ensuring that every location is captured with great accuracy. This high-tech asset not only advances the UAE’s space ambitions but also supports key initiatives for global sustainability.
What it means for UAE
The satellite’s development represents a giant leap for the UAE’s aerospace sector. Entirely designed and built by Emirati engineers at MBRSC, MBZ-SAT reflects the country's growing expertise and self-reliance in space technology. Collaborating with UAE-based companies, the project has fostered knowledge transfer and economic growth, further strengthening the UAE's global competitiveness in the aerospace sector.
As MBZ-SAT enters its mission phase, it will be operated from the MBRSC Mission Control Centre. Data collected by the satellite will be monitored and analysed to ensure its success in providing critical Earth observation insights.