Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inspects KhalifaSat in February 2018, eight months before its successful launch. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inspects KhalifaSat in February 2018, eight months before its successful launch. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inspects KhalifaSat in February 2018, eight months before its successful launch. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, inspects KhalifaSat in February 2018, eight months before its successful launch. Courtesy: Wam

UAE partners with Airbus to launch satellite testing and assembly centre


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The UAE's flourishing space sector is taking another leap forward as a satellite testing and assembly centre is prepared for launch in Al Ain.

Tawazun Economic Council has joined forces with major airline and aerospace manufacturer Airbus and the National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC), at UAE and University, to drive forward plans to begin operations at the centre early next year.

The project will create 32 jobs, with 22 of the new employees to be Emirati.

Workers will receive training at Airbus facilities in France as well as locally.

The partnership was formed by Tawazun, a body which was was founded in 1992 to help develop a sustainable defence and security industry in the UAE.

"This is our second project after Yahsat, and there are many more projects to come, as Tawazun works to further develop the UAE space sector," said Matar Ali Al Romaithi, chief economic development officer for Tawazun.

"The UAE is building and acquiring the knowledge required to become a regional hub for space activities and advanced research and development.

"This centre is an integral part of those plans and consequently Tawazun has worked to make sure that it operates as a sustainable resource for the next five to seven years with a view to becoming permanent.

"We also value the significant contribution that Airbus is making to the Centre’s sustainability, as well as to the increase and development of our Emirati resource and expertise. NSSTC will accumulate critical knowledge from Airbus through this project, and our national competencies and skills will increase significantly."

The UAE successfully launched KhalifaSat, the first satellite designed, tested and manufactured entirely by Emirati engineers, from Japan in October, 2018.

This week, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre released new high-resolution images of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, captured by KhalifaSat.

The UAE's space sector has enjoyed remarkable success in recent years, with the launch of KhalifaSat followed by the country's first astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, travelling aboard the International Space Centre last September.

Only last month, the Hope probe began its milestone mission to Mars.

The Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing Centre will develop and build communication, navigation and hyperspectral satellites ranging in size between 50 and 250 kilogrammes.

It will be based at the NSSTC site in Al Ain, with Airbus supporting the design, outfitting and commissioning of the facility.

Airbus will also manage the procurement, installation and operational qualification required for the equipment.

Airbus has pledged to play a leading role in bolstering the UAE aerospace industry.

"The space industry is an important and strategic sector for the UAE, as it enables the development of high-level skills and drives innovation," said Mikail Houari, president of the Mena region for Airbus.

"Airbus remains committed to supporting the advancement of all key elements of the UAE’s aerospace industry. For many years, we have worked closely in partnership with the nation’s leading industrial entities to help create new technological solutions and provide global expertise and experience to local talent."

The growing UAE space sector has provided 3,000 jobs at 50 space related entities, five space research and development centres and three universities offering space degrees.

  • Emirati engineers with the Hope probe in the clean room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters. Courtesy: MBRSC
    Emirati engineers with the Hope probe in the clean room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters. Courtesy: MBRSC
  • The Hope spacecraft was delivered to Japan on board the world's largest cargo plane in April. The overall journey from Dubai to the Tanegashima Space Centre took 83 hours. Courtesy: MBRSC
    The Hope spacecraft was delivered to Japan on board the world's largest cargo plane in April. The overall journey from Dubai to the Tanegashima Space Centre took 83 hours. Courtesy: MBRSC
  • The Japanese H-IIA rocket that will deliver Hope to space on July 15. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    The Japanese H-IIA rocket that will deliver Hope to space on July 15. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • The probe underwent several different tests in the clean room prior to its departure to Japan, including being exposed to extreme temperatures. Courtesy: MBRSC
    The probe underwent several different tests in the clean room prior to its departure to Japan, including being exposed to extreme temperatures. Courtesy: MBRSC
  • The probe before the solar panels were installed. Courtesy: Wam
    The probe before the solar panels were installed. Courtesy: Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visited the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre ​​​​​​​as the last external part of the Hope Probe was installed. Courtesy: Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visited the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre ​​​​​​​as the last external part of the Hope Probe was installed. Courtesy: Wam

"This is in line with the vision of the UAE government, achieving the goals of the national agenda through the implementation of contemporary, sustainable developmental projects," said Saeed Ahmed Ghobash, chancellor of UAE University.

The NSSTC was created by the UAE University alongside the UAE Space Agency.

"UAE University possesses distinctive scientific and technical capabilities that enable it to keep abreast of global trends in applied scientific research, the fourth industrial revolution, the requirements of artificial intelligence, and space science and technology. The university’s work contributes to the development of a knowledge and digital based economy."

The UAE Space Agency is funding the first two projects that will be completed under the management and operation of NSSTC.

The first will be a satellite that will augment navigational capabilities for the UAE and the second will be the Arab 813 Satellite.

Both projects are currently underway with the support of Airbus and will be completed at the new facilities.

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Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

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