The UAE's MBZ-Sat, the region’s most advanced Earth observation satellite, was launched in a milestone moment for the country's burgeoning space sector.
The 750kg satellite blasted off into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, engineered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, at 11.09pm (UAE time), the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre said. The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
MBZ-Sat, named in honour of President Sheikh Mohamed, has been in development by Emirati engineers at the MBRSC since 2020, with most of the satellite parts made by private companies.
Amar Vora, head of space at Serco Middle East, a company that provides services and consultancy to the public and private sector, previously told The National that the satellite would provide the highest resolution imagery in the region. Its capabilities exceed those of its predecessor, KhalifaSat.
“This will unlock new and improved civilian applications across the UAE and beyond, helping to better manage infrastructure, monitor the environment and support disaster relief, among a range of other uses,” Mr Vora said.
MBRSC director general Salem Al Marri said during an earlier visit to SpaceX that “we held a meeting to explore potential collaborations and future projects with our partners”.
“We also reviewed final preparations for the launch of MBZ-Sat, the most advanced satellite in the region,” added Mr Al Marri.
What is MBZ-Sat?
Named after President Sheikh Mohamed, the satellite has been under development at MBRSC in Dubai for five years.
The satellite was officially approved for launch last year by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and president of the MBRSC.
About 90 per cent of the satellite’s mechanical structure and most of its electronic modules were made locally. It is equipped with one of the most powerful cameras developed in the region, technology that can show details within areas of less than one square metre.
The camera will help to support mapping and analysis, environmental monitoring, navigation, infrastructure management and disaster relief efforts.
The satellite has in recent months undergone rigorous environmental testing, which is crucial to ensuring its resilience and functionality in space.
MBZ-Sat will be operated and monitored from the Mission Control Centre at the MBRSC.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Hamilton’s 2017
Australia - 2nd; China - 1st; Bahrain - 2nd; Russia - 4th; Spain - 1st; Monaco - 7th; Canada - 1st; Azerbaijan - 5th; Austria - 4th; Britain - 1st; Hungary - 4th; Belgium - 1st; Italy - 1st; Singapore - 1st; Malaysia - 2nd; Japan - 1st; United States - 1st; Mexico - 9th
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Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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