UAE's student-built DhabiSat blasts off to the International Space Station

The satellite will gather data for space research and can capture high-resolution images from an altitude of 450km

DhabiSat was built by 27 graduate students at Yahsat Space Lab in Abu Dhabi. Wam

A satellite designed and developed by students from Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi lifted off for the International Space Station (ISS) at the weekend.

DhabiSat, built by 27 graduate students at Yahsat Space Lab, started its journey aboard the Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft launch, attached to an Antares rocket.

The satellite will be deployed from the Cygnus NG-15 resupply spacecraft, following its departure from the ISS in approximately three months.

The CubeSat – a type of miniaturised satellite – will be used to gather data for space research and can capture high-resolution images from an altitude of 450 kilometres.

The launch took place at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, US, and marks another milestone in the UAE’s space journey.

Less than two weeks ago, the Emirates made history when its Hope probe successfully entered the orbit of Mars to begin a two-year data-collecting mission.

"This CubeSat was entirely designed and developed by students with support from our partners," said Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

"It demonstrates another example of Khalifa University's overarching strategy to develop space scientists and engineers who will take the UAE forward in terms of technological progress.

"The launch of DhabiSat marks a major milestone for the UAE's space sector that will have locally qualified and trained manpower equipped by academic institutions within the country."

The mission was carried out in partnership with Al Yah Satellite Company (Yahsat) and Northrop Grumman.

It is the fourth CubeSat to be launched into the skies by the UAE.

The first was Nayif-1 in 2017, followed by MySat-1, which was launched by Yahsat Space Lab three years ago.

Last September, MeznSat lifted-off on board a Russian Soyuz 2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

It was built by students at Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) and funded by the UAE Space Agency.

Once deployed, DhabiSat will enable students to test custom software modules that they developed in-house.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National

A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter

UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National

The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National