The UAE successfully launched its indigenously built satellite KhalifaSat on 29th Oct 2018 at around 8:00 AM UAE time from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre. It was the UAE’s first and the most sophisticated and advanced satellite that was designed, tested and manufactured completely by 70 male & female Emirati engineers. The satellite, which was built by Space Technology Laboratories, Mohammed bin Rishad Space Centre in Dubai, also bears the name of President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed A1 Nahyan.
It was successfully placed in orbit onboard the H2A rocket from Space Centre.
The satellite is equipped to transfer images at a very high speed and will also observe environmental changes locally and internationally. KhalifaSat works as a specialized camera in space which is powered by the sun. This is meant for providing high-resolution images. Mohammed bin Rishad Space Centre get five patents and developed seven space innovations that is meant for enhanced digital camera, fast image download and high-speed communication capabilities.
It also has an automatic satellite control system, a satellite positioning technique allowing it to capture multiple 3D images and an advanced target positioning for capturing high-quality images. For the satellite, an orbit calibration was done to fix or fine tune certain parameters of the sensors. It will also be used to provide detailed imagery of the ice caps at the North and South Poles.
