Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) announced the launch of the new strategic project DubaiSat-3, the first satellite that will be completed in the UAE.

A core team of 45 UAE experts and engineers will lead the development of DubaiSat-3, the third satellite program to be undertaken by EIAST in collaboration with its partner Satrec Initiative (SI), the leading solution provider for Earth observation missions.

DubaiSat-3 will initially be developed in South Korea and later transferred to EIAST’s satellite manufacturing facilities in the UAE midway through the project.

EIAST further revealed that it will start developing its own clean room and satellite manufacturing facilities, which consist of labs that keep the environment in the clean room free from dust and humidity, at the EIAST headquarters in Dubai this year as part of preparations for the transfer of the DubaiSat-3 development to Dubai.

EIAST’s Emirati engineers will be taking the lead in the development of the project from the start and SI will be assuming a consultative role. These latest developments will firm up the transfer of satellite development in the UAE.

HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EIAST, said: “The ultimate goal of Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology is to develop a core team of local experts and position UAE as a global leader in science and technology. We are inspired by the passion and dedication of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is the leading proponent of the EIAST initiative.”

HE Yousef Al Sheibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “The launch of DubaiSat-3 Project is a very important step forward and is a clear manifestation of the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology’s dedication, hard work and commitment in cultivating a culture of scientific and technological excellence in the UAE. EIAST has progressed significantly since we began collaborating in 2006 with Satrec Initiative, and we look forward to the next stage of our strategic relationship.”

The launch of the DubaiSat-3 Project is the culmination of a three-step approach that ultimately aims to achieve full capabilities, knowledge, facilities and research ability to develop advanced satellite missions on UAE soil.

The first step of EIAST’s three-step approach to its satellite systems development focused on the transfer of technology and knowledge with the development of DubaiSat-1, which was developed by Satrec Initiative in South Korea and launched by EIAST in 2009. In step two, EIAST established a core team of UAE experts and engineers to jointly develop DubaiSat-2, which has been scheduled to be sent to orbit in 2013. In step three, EIAST intends to undertake a more prominent leadership role in the development of the DubaiSat-3 satellite.

EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal to promote a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and to enhance UAE nationals’ capacity in technological innovation and attaining leading scientific levels. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; manufacture of satellites and development of systems; space imaging; and ground station services and support to other satellites.