The director-general of the UAE Space Agency has hailed efforts to launch the first Emirati-built satellite in October.
Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi said the announcement on Wednesday that KhalifaSat will be launched into space on October 29 underscores the UAE’s “outstanding capabilities in the field of space manufacturing”.
In comments published by state news agency WAM, Al Ahbabi said that the achievement highlights the “outstanding scientific and technical capabilities of Emirati citizens that would enable them to achieve any scientific goal they aspire to accomplish”.
He said that the KhalifaSat project has contributed, during all stages of design and manufacturing, in developing national capabilities in the field of satellite manufacturing, which will be an essential factor in developing the space sector in the country.
“All engineers working on Khalifasat’s project should be proud of what they have achieved during the development phase,” he added.
The director-general congratulated all UAE Space Agency employees and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on the achievement.
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan tweeted on Wednesday that the satellite will be launched from the Tanigashima Space Centre in Japan.
“This is an important milestone for our country, an achievement made possible because our leadership supports Emirati youth and encourages them to excel in the fields of innovation and technological development,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
Al Ahbabi said last month that once the launch has taken place, the UAE will have 10 multi-purpose satellites, raising the UAE investment in the space sector to AED22 billion.
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