We have lift-off: UAE's Khalifa Sat to be launched into space

The Emirati-designed satellite will be launched from Japan on October 29

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the launch of the building phase of the satellite, KhalifaSat, in 2013. Wam    

The UAE has lift-off on the first-ever Emirati-designed satellite - which will be launched into space in October.

The nation is reaching for the stars after it was announced on Wednesday that KhalifaSat will head into orbit on October 29.

The satellite will rocket into the skies from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said he was "proud" of the out-of-this-world achievements of the Emirati team.

He said the launch was an important milestone for the country's space programme.

Sheikh Hamdan said: "The launch of KhalifaSat, which is entirely developed by UAE nationals, on October 29, marks the dawn of a new era in the national space sector and a new achievement to be added to the UAE record.

“This is an important step for our country in the scientific and engineering fields, thanks to the great support of our leadership which provides the sons and daughters of our country with all the means that open doors of creativity, and enable them to leave an Emirati mark in humankind’s scientific development march."

Sheikh Hamdan said the achievement, taking place during the Year of Zayed, was testament to the determination of the Emirati team.

"Sound scientific planning, wise management and youth empowerment are among a set of foundations that will enable UAE's successes in the field of space will continue in coming years," he said.
The launch will take place at Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) aboard an H-IIA rocket.

It will be third UAE staellite to be launched into space, after DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2.

Th development of KhalifaSat got under way in 2013 after an announcement about the space bid by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

KhaifaSat is the first satellite to be developed at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre's tech laboratories.

Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of the space centre, said KhalifaSat was an important addition to the satellite manufacturing industry and helped to shape plans to transform Dubai into a "global space technology" hub.

"It is, as described by his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, not only an Emirati and Arab achievement, but an international achievement. The information it provides will benefit all humankind. It is an important scientific progress to our development growth.

"We are proud that this achievement was developed by highly qualified Emiratis which confirms that the strategy adopted by the centre for the preparation and training of scientific and technical cadres has been proved successful, and that we are on the right track to transform Dubai into a global space technology centre,” he said.