DUBAI: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced yesterday that the MBZ-SAT, the most advanced satellite in the region, successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The 27-minute launch window opened at 10:49 PM (UAE time) from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The launch went ahead as planned, despite possible delays due to weather and operational conditions, with a backup opportunity scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, if needed.
MBZ-SAT, developed by Emirati engineers at MBRSC, represents a significant achievement in the UAE’s space journey. The satellite was integrated onto the Falcon 9 rocket at SpaceX’s facilities in the USA after passing final tests. Its development was officially approved by the UAE leadership, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Named in honour of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the satellite boasts superior imaging capabilities, with twice the accuracy of its predecessors and ten times more imagery. It can also deliver data within two hours, supporting critical applications like environmental monitoring, infrastructure management, and disaster relief.
With a weight of 750 kg and dimensions of 3m x 5m, MBZ-SAT is equipped with advanced electric propulsion, precise navigation, and a high-resolution camera for enhanced Earth observation. This project also bolstered the UAE’s aerospace sector, contributing to economic growth and knowledge transfer.
Once operational in low Earth orbit, MBZ-SAT will be monitored from MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre. The launch was covered live on the MBRSC website.
