The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) successfully launched MBZ-SAT, the region’s most advanced satellite, which is named after UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnessed the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday at 11:09 p.m. UAE time.
MBZ-SAT, constructed entirely by Emirati engineers at MBRSC, weighs 750 kg and uses cutting-edge Earth observation technologies. It has a high-resolution imaging system, advanced electric jet propulsion, and a navigation system with one-meter accuracy. With picture precision doubled and generating capacity tenfold improved, MBZ-SAT enables rapid image distribution within two hours, which aids environmental monitoring, disaster assistance, and infrastructure management.
MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre oversaw the satellite, which was 90% constructed locally, with significant contributions from UAE firms. This project has strengthened the country’s space technology sector and empowered indigenous talent.
Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of MBRSC, emphasised the UAE’s leadership in space exploration, while Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, hailed the achievement as a watershed moment in promoting global space innovation.
