KhalifaSat launches successfully into orbit. Photo: Dubai Media Office
KhalifaSat launches successfully into orbit. Photo: Dubai Media Office
KhalifaSat launches successfully into orbit. Photo: Dubai Media Office
KhalifaSat launches successfully into orbit. Photo: Dubai Media Office

UAE

UAE space centre to launch two satellite missions a year under new initiative

The programme would boost public, private and academia partnership in space

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

January 21, 2022

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The UAE plans to launch two small satellites each year that would host the latest technology built by private companies or university students.

Under the Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI), engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) would construct the satellite and companies can add their technology that can be tested in space.

The first demo satellite, called PHI-Demo, is already in development and payloads by two companies have been selected.

The partnership with MBRSC is strategic and beneficial for both of us as each party brings in ideas and capabilities that revolutionise the satellite telecom industry
Omar Qaise,
OQ Technology

A second satellite, PHI-1, will be built in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

“The collaboration and innovation that have gone into making the development of the PHI-Demo under the Payload Hosting Initiative today not only advances the use of satellite-related technologies but also presents an opportunity for entities and countries alike to deploy and operate their own satellites in space,” said Salem Al Marri, director general of the space centre.

“The results of these efforts will further place the UAE at the forefront of space innovation and assist in making incredible advancements in science and technology”.

The PHI-Demo satellite. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
The PHI-Demo satellite. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

One of the payloads on the 20-kilogram demo satellite is a propulsion subsystem that uses water to fuel the spacecraft.

Built by UK-based company SteamJet Space Systems, the tech offers a greener and more sustainable use of space.

Marco Pavan, chief executive of the organisation, said its involvement in the demo satellite was a big development for their company.

“This is an important step for the qualification of our clean water-powered propulsion subsystem, the Steam Thruster One, specifically designed for CubeSats and small satellites,” he said.

“The partnership with MBRSC is for us an essential step towards a greener and safer approach to propulsion in the small satellite industry and a more sustainable use of space.”

OQ Technology, a US-based company that hopes to build a global satellite constellation dedicated for 5G, has built the other payload.

It includes an Internet of Things communication system that stores and forwards collected data from IoT devices in remote areas, industries and autonomous vehicles using 5G technology.

Omar Qaise, chief executive of OQ Technology said, that the PHI mission would enable its global satellite 5G coverage and business the Middle East and North Africa region.

“The partnership with MBRSC is strategic and beneficial for both of us as each party brings in ideas and capabilities that revolutionise the satellite telecom industry,” he said.

“Following our previous Tiger satellite 5G missions, this is our fourth mission which we are very proud and happy to work on with the PHI team.

“We really enjoy the enthusiasm, agility, and professionalism of a young vibrant team and a flexible agency and this is exactly the partnership that enables a start-up like us to thrive and succeed.”

The satellites will be operated from a ground station at the MBRSC headquarters in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.

Twenty pictures of the UAE taken by Khalifasat

  • The Expo 2020 Dubai site captured in a satellite image. All photos: MBRSC
    The Expo 2020 Dubai site captured in a satellite image. All photos: MBRSC
  • Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre.
    Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre.
  • Manama City in Bahrain.
    Manama City in Bahrain.
  • KhalifaSat captured the Ain Dubai, the world's biggest and tallest observation wheel, on Bluewaters Island.
    KhalifaSat captured the Ain Dubai, the world's biggest and tallest observation wheel, on Bluewaters Island.
  • The King Fahd Causeway in Bahrain. These are a series of bridges that connect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
    The King Fahd Causeway in Bahrain. These are a series of bridges that connect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
  • Abu Dhabi photographed from space.
    Abu Dhabi photographed from space.
  • KhalifaSat's first image was of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, taken in 2018.
    KhalifaSat's first image was of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, taken in 2018.
  • The Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
    The Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
  • The Kuwait Towers, a popular tourist attraction that includes three tall structures, captured from space.
    The Kuwait Towers, a popular tourist attraction that includes three tall structures, captured from space.
  • The Museum of the Future, which is expected to open this year, is visible from space.
    The Museum of the Future, which is expected to open this year, is visible from space.
  • Sharjah Mosque, the largest mosque in the emirate.
    Sharjah Mosque, the largest mosque in the emirate.
  • Kuwait, which has a population of more than 4.5 million people, seen from space.
    Kuwait, which has a population of more than 4.5 million people, seen from space.
  • The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured in a satellite image.
    The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured in a satellite image.
  • Al Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi.
    Al Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi.
  • The Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    The Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman captured by KhalifaSat.
    The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman captured by KhalifaSat.
  • Muscat, the capital of Oman, seen from space.
    Muscat, the capital of Oman, seen from space.
  • Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest summit at about 2,000 metres, in Ras Al Khaimah.
    Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest summit at about 2,000 metres, in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • Jeddah Flagpole in Saudi Arabia.
    Jeddah Flagpole in Saudi Arabia.
  • Another view of Muscat.
    Another view of Muscat.
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Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Updated: January 21, 2022, 4:59 AM
UAE