KHALIFASAT: WE HAVE LIFT-OFF DATE
The entirely Emirati-designed satellite will be blasted into space from Japan on October 29
The UAE has lift-off on the first Emirati-designed satellite, which will be launched into space in October 29, it was announced yesterday.
The KhalifaSat will rocket into the skies from the Tanigashima Space Centre in Japan.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said he was proud of the out-ofthis-world achievements of the Emirati team.
He said the launch was an important milestone for the country’s space programme.
“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,” said Sheikh Hamdan, also chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
“This is an important step for our country in the scientific and engineering fields, thanks to the great support of our leadership who provide the sons and daughters of our country with all the means that open doors of creativity, and enables them to leave an Emirati mark in humankind’s scientific development march.”
He said that 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,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
The satellite will be launched from a H-IIA rocket. It will be third UAE satellite to be launched into space, after DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2.
Work on KhalifaSat was under way in 2013 after an announcement about the space bid by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
KhalifaSat is the first satellite to be developed in the clean rooms of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre’s space technology laboratories.
Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of the space centre, said that KhalifaSat was a quality addition to the satellite making industry and is helping to shape plans to transform Dubai into a “global space technology” centre.
“It is, as described by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, not only an Emirati and Arab achievement but an international achievement,” Mr Al Shaibani said.
“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.”
Development of the first Emirati satellite will turn Dubai into a global space technology centre