First satellite built at Abu Dhabi lab heads to International Space Station

The nano-satellite MYSAT-1 built by Khalifa University of Science and Technology students at the Yahsat Space Lab is on board a Cygnus rocket after successful launch in Virginia

The Khalifa University students have developed a nano-satellite called MySat-1. Image courtesy Nanoracks via Twitter

The UAE's involvement in space is about to reach another milestone with the launch of a nano-satellite onboard a Cygnus spacecraft in Virginia.

A team of 20 students from Khalifa University of Science and Technology saw three years of hard work sent into space on Saturday when their MYSAT-1 nano-satellite heads to the International Space Station.

The spacecraft took off on time at 04:01am Eastern Time (13:01pm UAE) at Nasa's Wallops facility.

You can watch a recap of the launch below:

MYSAT-1 is a type of "CubeSat" that weighs 1.3kg and has been developed by students enrolled in the Space Systems and Technology Masters in Engineering degree at the university.

It has a camera that will take pictures of Earth, and will also be used to test a lithium-ion battery created at Khalifa University.

This is what it looks like:

It's the first to be built at the Yahsat Space Lab in Masdar City.

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