UAE to build own satellites following success of space programme

The next step for the programme run by Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) is to build and test satellites domestically.

"In about 18 months or so we hope to have the facilities in place in Dubai to become self-sufficient in building our own satellites," said Salem Al Marri, Eiast assistant director general for scientific and technical affairs. Razan Alzayani / The NationalShow less

DUBAI //

Establishing and nurturing a space programme has helped the UAE to develop

, a senior official said.

The next step for the programme run by the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (Eiast) is to build and test satellites domestically.

"In about 18 months or so we hope to have the facilities in place in Dubai to become self-sufficient in building our own satellites," said Salem Al Marri, Eiast assistant director general for scientific and technical affairs.

"We hope to have a development laboratory and a testing facility with a thermal chamber to test satellites up and running soon."

The institute, set up by the Dubai Government in 2006, has so far made its satellites in collaboration with South Korea.

Eiast already has DubaiSat-1 in orbit, with

expected to be launched from Yasny Cosmodrome in Russia at the end of the year.

The development costs are about US$50 million (Dh183m) a satellite, Mr Al Marri said.

DubaiSat-3, the UAE's first locally built satellite, is

.

"All our satellites are for Earth observation for human-resource development, particularly of the UAE but also the rest of the world," Mr Al Marri said.

The technology is used primarily by the Government, as well as some private companies.

"When we started it was a real challenge," Mr Al Marri said.

"We didn't have the technical base or the skilled engineers but thanks to the support of the Dubai Government over the years we have managed to reach the point where we can now do it ourselves."

Mr Al Marri was at the UN-UAE Symposium on Basic Space Technology at Zayed University's Dubai campus.

"Our entire team is Emirati. Not only that, this project has helped to set the foundations of our very own high-tech industry," he said.

The new manufacturing plant will be at Eiast's headquarters in Al Khawaneej.

The institute worked with a South Korean company, Satrec Initiative, on its previous satellite development.

Dr Rainer Sandau, technical director of satellites and space applications at the International Academy of Astronautics, said there were long-term economic benefits for countries with their own space programmes.

"If a country chooses to have a space programme it forces itself to develop high-tech industries and high levels of education," Dr Sandau said.

"A domestic programme is also tailored to the needs of that particular country and becomes an important asset once it is operational.

"The initial investment can then be offset by selling the use of these assets to private companies or government organisations."

After the financial crisis, investment in space programmes were cut back across the globe, but there are now signs of recovery, Mr Sandau said.

He told delegates that developing countries should focus their efforts on constellations or groups of smaller satellites.

"These constellations are more cost effective than having one large satellite," Mr Sandau said.

"As well as that, if one of the satellites has a fault or does not work for whatever reason the rest of the group can continue without much disruption."

It is crucial that a country looking to create a space programme has the political desire and willingness to invest in both higher education, training and facilities for it to be effective, Mr Sandau said.

The symposium ends on October 23.