The UAE's MBZ-SAT, the most advanced Earth-imaging satellite in the region, has successfully sent its first signal from orbit, the Dubai Media Office confirmed on Wednesday. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) reported receiving the first signal from MBZ-SAT and confirmed that all systems are functioning optimally. The satellite has officially begun its mission to deliver critical data that will contribute to global development.
Launch Details
MBZ-SAT was launched on Tuesday, January 14, at 11:09 PM local time from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA. This marks the second Emirati-built satellite to be sent into space. It was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, alongside the compact yet powerful CubeSat, HCT-SAT 1.
A New Era for Space Technology
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, expressed his pride in the successful launch. “MBZ-SAT is a significant achievement in the UAE’s space technology journey, reflecting our ambition to lead innovation in space. This satellite will advance our efforts in development and sustainability by delivering twice the resolution of current imaging systems, offering ten times more images, and providing data transmission speeds four times faster than existing systems,” he stated.
Developed entirely by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, MBZ-SAT exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to leveraging innovation for global benefit.
Celebrating the Launch
In a festive gesture, visitors arriving at Dubai Airports were greeted with an MBZ-SAT stamp on their passports to commemorate the satellite's launch. In addition, the iconic Burj Khalifa was illuminated on Tuesday night, turning into a massive projection screen that showcased the satellite’s orbit around Earth, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
