UAE-made MBZ-SAT to be launched in late 2023, MBRSC director-general says

Dubai: Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), said the centre is drafting strategic plans, in line with the visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, aimed at establishing a knowledge-based economy in the UAE.

Emirati companies are working on international projects, including the UAE-made MBZ-SAT, which will be launched by the end of 2023 as the second operational Emirati satellite, he said, noting it was made by Emirati engineers after KhalifaSat, and will play a pivotal role in supporting the Emirati space sector, being the most advanced satellite in the region in the field of high-resolution satellite imagery.

Al Marri stressed that the vision of the UAE leaders is helping advance the national space and technological innovation sectors, noting that a specialist team was sent to South Korea 17 years ago, which led to the establishment of the current Emirati space programme and the launch of locally-made satellites.

He also highlighted the ongoing cooperation with regional and international companies in establishing a local space industries centre, adding that related projects have helped train Emirati professionals, who now occupy new and advanced positions, and who are also an inspiration to Emirati and Arab youth, such as Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori.