The UAE space sector has thrived over the years, and as the new year commences, the Emirates is set to launch a historic new mission to introduce the region’s most advanced high-accuracy, high-resolution imaging satellite.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will launch MBZ-SAT inside the Falcon 9 rocket on January 14, 2025, at 10:49 PM (GST), from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Named in honor of the President of the UAE, and fully developed by Emirati engineers at the MBRSC, the MBZ-SAT satellite represents another milestone for the nation's space industry.
MBZ-SAT aims to develop a sustainable ecosystem for the Emirati space sector and strengthen the UAE’s position in global space technology development.
“MBZ-SAT is the largest satellite ever to be developed locally in the UAE’s history,” stated H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC. “As an Earth observation satellite, MBZ-SAT will serve hundreds of applications, providing high-precision data to countries worldwide.”
Key Features of MBZ-SAT
MBZ-SAT’s highly-advanced features will play a key role in supporting a wide variety of use cases such as urban planning, environmental monitoring, agricultural development, and navigation.
According to the MBRSC, the MBZ-SAT offers image accuracy twice as precise as previous models and can capture ten times more imagery. Its automated system will also be able to process and deliver images in under two hours, which is four times faster (in terms of data transfer and download speeds) than current capabilities.
Powered by modern, electric jet propulsion technology, MBZ-SAT is designed to deliver precise, high-quality satellite imagery. It also features an automated system that operates 24/7 to efficiently organize and process images, ensuring top-tier standards for global commercial applications.
Located in the low Earth orbit (LEO), MBZ-SAT will address the increasing demand for high-resolution satellite images, offering swift data turnaround to meet market needs.
EPI, a key contributor to the UAE’s aerospace and defence industry, has joined forces with the MBRSC, to manufacture key components for this satellite project.
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