The UAE is on a hunt to find its own Elon Musk with a new programme that aims to transform space project ideas into business start-ups.
Four teams have been chosen to be part of the UAE NewSpace Innovation Programme, run by the UAE Space Agency and start-up incubator Krypto Labs.
The three-month-long project is worth Dh2million and is currently in the incubation phase, where the teams are connected to mentors, investors, customers and potential partners from space and related fields.
For decades, space activities have been government-run, but private firms are making their mark with ground-breaking technologies and ideas. Recently, billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX became the first private company to launch human spaceflights.
The programme's participants spoke to The National about how they think they could transform the Emirates' space sector.
'Noise-free' satellite sensors
To help improve the quality of satellite performance, Canadian-national Zaid Al Rayyes, 24, has invented sensors that send and receive noise-free signals.
Firms currently use standard sensors in satellites, such as inertial measurement units and microelectromechanical systems, that produce noisy data and is worsened by interference from magnetic disturbances in space. The data is then filtered by engineers on the ground using a software – a method that is costly and time-consuming.
“We are reinventing the sensors used in satellites by combining concepts in chemistry with machine dynamics,” said Mr Al Rayyes, a mechanical engineer.
“We’re aiming to be the UAE’s first producers of satellite sensors and with this achievement the UAE space sector will expand its industrial reach.
“When we think of pioneering companies like SpaceX we automatically think of Elon Musk. Innovation starts with the entrepreneur behind the product, so the next success story in the UAE will also begin with the people creating the technology.”
Cheaper solar panels for spacecrafts
Emirati engineer Hamad Saif Alteneiji, 47, has invented solar panels that he said will cost half the price of existing technology and are easier to develop.
His solar panels generate energy from the sun by using a method called the ‘Light Trapping Dynamic Photovoltaic Module’.
“The light trapping is achieved by incorporating solar reflector strips within module glasses. Their function is to trap sun light inside photovoltaic module glasses and creates internal light concentration. This leads to reduction on the expensive solar cells quantity up to 50 per cent, hence, reducing the overall cost by up to 40 per cent,” said Mr Alteneiji, who works as a manager at Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority.
Today, solar panels can cost Dh1,000-1,500 per watt. For example, the Hope probe uses 1,800 watts from two solar panels.
The technology has a dynamic response feature, which includes internal cells that protect the solar panels from any internal or external impacts. There is also a passive heat dissipation system that uses metallic solar reflective strips to convert internal waste heat into usable energy – ultimately extending the lifespan of a spacecraft.
“The start-up space industry is becoming an important source of innovation for the government. Governments have an opportunity to leverage emerging start-up space companies to do more while spending less,” he said.
Using artificial intelligence for better images
Mustafa Alhashmi launched a start-up, called Smart Navigation Systems, in 2015 that is run by Emirati engineers.
The company is part of Abu Dhabi's Hub71 incentive programme and it has now become part of the UAE NewSpace Innovation project.
Mr Alhashmi said his firm offers remote-sensing services using artificial intelligence.
“Our main products developed locally are based on spatial data, providing applications that serve the local community and are directed to federal and local authorities in general,” he said.
“Regional municipalities, educational and environmental sectors benefit from our services, increasing people's convenience and security.”
He said his remote-sensing technology can offer satellite imagery that can be used by authorities for disaster mitigation planning and recovery, coastal change detection, building permit verification, measuring post Covid-19 impact, among others.
As of now, authorities use images provided by government satellites DubaiSat-1 and 2 and KhalifaSat for such services.
Mini satellites for better urban planning
Another team is offering a group of mini Earth-observation satellites that will continuously gather data on the Middle East and Northern Africa region.
It will use a Synthetic Aperture Radar, a technology that offers a 2 or 3-D version of satellite images. The product is useful for municipalities for urban planning.
CubeSats - micro-satellites the size of a box - are gaining popularity in the UAE, especially among university students, who are building and launching them with the help of the space agency.
The devices are much cheaper than conventional satellites and sit in low orbit.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
What is a robo-adviser?
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Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
