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AMNA Al KATBI (DUBAI) - The team behind the UAE-made MBZ-SAT satellite is continuing the construction process, with an expected launch date of mid-2024.
It is the largest satellite in the centre’s history and the most advanced in the region in terms of high-resolution satellite imaging. The satellite will be equipped with an automated system for organising images around the clock, ensuring satellite images of the highest standards of accuracy, designated for global commercial use.
The project is expected to strengthen partnerships in space exploration between the public and private sectors.
MBZ-SAT will contribute to meeting the increasing commercial demand for satellites that provide high-precision images, allowing details within an area of less than one square metre to be viewed, one of the most advanced in space.
The utilisation of images and data provided by the centre varies from its use in sustainable urban planning and monitoring environmental changes, in addition to predicting natural weather phenomena, monitoring water quality, and supporting efforts to address crises and manage global disasters. These include assessing damage caused by disasters, and assisting organisations in finding solutions to mitigate the effects of floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, and reconstruction.
The UAE-produced MBZ-SAT project underwent three phases. The first phase involved prototype design and testing, and the second phase consisted of testing the electrical and mechanical systems on a qualification model similar to the final model. The third phase encompasses the construction of the final model. The satellite was designed to operate in space for a period ranging from 5 to 8 years; however, it is expected to remain in service for more than 8 years.
The MBZ-SAT is notable for its weight, which exceeds 800 kilogrammes. Beyond its size, the project is distinct in its ability to enhance image capture accuracy by more than double the level offered by previous systems. It will also increase the downlink data transfer speed by threefold its current capacity. The fully automated system for scheduling and processing images will be able to send over ten times the number of images currently produced by the centre.
Among other technologies, the project utilises jet propulsion, in which an ion thruster system used to manoeuvre the satellite in outer space. Additionally, the centre’s engineers developed a process for accurately directing, manoeuvring, and pinpointing the locations of satellite images.
