The MBZ-SAT, the region’s most advanced observation satellite, was successfully launched on Wednesday evening from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey towards space exploration and advanced technology leadership.

Named in honour of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, MBZ-SAT represents a quantum leap in the UAE’s space exploration endeavours.

Entirely developed by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the SAT will contribute to disaster management and improve lives by generating high-resolution images around the clock, capturing details as small as one square meter. Its capabilities are ten times greater than the Centre’s current productivity, sharing captured data three times faster, enabling immediate benefits to enhance various sectors.

Meanwhile, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed, at the Mission Control Centre at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the successful launch of MBZ-SAT, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

The satellite was announced in 2020 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and officially approved for launch last year by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and President of MBRSC.

Weighing 750 kg with dimensions of 3m x 5m, MBZ-SAT represents a significant advancement in Earth observation technology. The satellite’s technical specifications demonstrate substantial improvements across all systems. Its imaging system also consists of one of the highest resolution cameras with improved data transmission rates - four times faster than existing systems.

The satellite is also equipped with an advanced electric jet propulsion system, a navigation system accurate to one metre, and a star tracking system that allows for unparalleled precision in positioning capabilities. These capabilities position MBZ-SAT as a significant advancement in Earth observation technology, providing valuable data for both research and practical applications.

The satellite will be able to capture images with double the precision of previous models while increasing image generation capacity tenfold. This improvement comes from its integrated scheduling and processing system, which can deliver processed images within two hours of capture. The satellite will serve multiple functions, including supporting environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, and disaster relief. These features allow local and international entities to make informed decisions based on current, accurate data.

The satellite will be operated and managed by the Mission Control Centre at MBRSC, with specialised teams handling operations and analysing the data transmitted to Earth.

MBZ-SAT has boosted the UAE’s economic growth through collaboration with local industries. Local manufacturing played a crucial role, with UAE companies producing 90% of the satellite’s mechanical structures and a significant portion of the electronic components. Companies like Strata, EPI, Rockford Xellerix, Halcon, Falcon, and EGA contributed their expertise to various aspects of the satellite’s construction. This collaborative approach has strengthened the UAE’s space technology capabilities while transferring vital knowledge and skills to local talent - ensuring the nation maintains its competitive edge in global space exploration.

Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President, MBRSC, said: “We extend our deepest gratitude to our leadership for their unwavering support and vision, which have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. We are proud to announce yet another successful mission that is the launch of MBZ-SAT, which has given a positive start to a busy and promising year at MBRSC.”

Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, added: “This achievement underscores our commitment to elevating the nation’s standing in the international space arena, while showcasing the collective expertise of Emiratis who are dedicated to realising our leadership’s ambitious vision. We will continue working on missions to enhance our space capabilities, advancing the leadership’s strategic objective of establishing the UAE as a pioneering force in space exploration and technological innovation.”