• A YahLive satellite for home use is displayed on the Yahsat exhibition stand at the CABSAT 2013 exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre in March 2013. Charles Crowell for The National
    A YahLive satellite for home use is displayed on the Yahsat exhibition stand at the CABSAT 2013 exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre in March 2013. Charles Crowell for The National
  • Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments, successfully completed the second rocket-powered, supersonic flight of its passenger carrying reusable space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). In addition to achieving the highest altitude and greatest speed to date, the test flight demonstrated the vehicle’s full technical mission profile in a single flight for the first time, including a high altitude deployment of the unique wing “feathering” re-entry mechanism. All of the test objectives were successfully completed.
    Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments, successfully completed the second rocket-powered, supersonic flight of its passenger carrying reusable space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). In addition to achieving the highest altitude and greatest speed to date, the test flight demonstrated the vehicle’s full technical mission profile in a single flight for the first time, including a high altitude deployment of the unique wing “feathering” re-entry mechanism. All of the test objectives were successfully completed.
  • Image from DubaiSat-1 which was launched in July of 2009 of Yas Island from space. Courtesy EIAST
    Image from DubaiSat-1 which was launched in July of 2009 of Yas Island from space. Courtesy EIAST
  • The DubaiSat-1 which was launched in July of 2009. It was the first satellite to be owned by an Emirati entity. Courtesy EIAST
    The DubaiSat-1 which was launched in July of 2009. It was the first satellite to be owned by an Emirati entity. Courtesy EIAST
  • The Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana shows the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket. It successfully placed two satellites in orbit, after twice delaying the launch for technical reasons. Riyadh-based communications operator Arabsat's 4.9-tonne satellite, made by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, separated 26 minutes and 39 seconds after the launch while the South Korean satellite separated 32 minutes later. P Baudon / AFP
    The Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana shows the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket. It successfully placed two satellites in orbit, after twice delaying the launch for technical reasons. Riyadh-based communications operator Arabsat's 4.9-tonne satellite, made by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, separated 26 minutes and 39 seconds after the launch while the South Korean satellite separated 32 minutes later. P Baudon / AFP
  • Yahsat launched its second satellite, Y1B in Kazakhstan. Satellite coverage now reaches more than 80 countries. Courtesy Mubadala
    Yahsat launched its second satellite, Y1B in Kazakhstan. Satellite coverage now reaches more than 80 countries. Courtesy Mubadala
  • A clean-room operator cuts through a sheet of carbon fiber at STRATA, a composite aerostructures manufacturing plant in Al Ain. Flanked by dunes on an ancient Frankincense route from Yemen to Mesopotamia, the factory is designed to help make lightweight carbon jets that will open up the trade lanes of the future. Jumana El Heloueh / Reuters
    A clean-room operator cuts through a sheet of carbon fiber at STRATA, a composite aerostructures manufacturing plant in Al Ain. Flanked by dunes on an ancient Frankincense route from Yemen to Mesopotamia, the factory is designed to help make lightweight carbon jets that will open up the trade lanes of the future. Jumana El Heloueh / Reuters
  • A EIAST Antenna. Courtesy EIAST
    A EIAST Antenna. Courtesy EIAST
  • Thuraya, the satellite phone subsidiary of Etisalat. Courtesy Thuraya
    Thuraya, the satellite phone subsidiary of Etisalat. Courtesy Thuraya
  • An image from DubaiSat-1 of the World Islands and the Dubai coastline. Courtesy EIAST
    An image from DubaiSat-1 of the World Islands and the Dubai coastline. Courtesy EIAST
  • Salem Humaid Al Marri, the assistant director general for scientific and technical affairs, Emirates Institution for Advance Science and Technology, with the new imagery completed by Dubai Sat 2. Jeffrey Biteng / The National
    Salem Humaid Al Marri, the assistant director general for scientific and technical affairs, Emirates Institution for Advance Science and Technology, with the new imagery completed by Dubai Sat 2. Jeffrey Biteng / The National

Business

In pictures: UAE reaches for the stars with space technology

Liz Claus

February 22, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE certainly does not lack for ambition when it comes to the celestial realms with satellite projects and Virgin Galactic’s spaceport.

TechnologyUAESpace