Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2018-11-07

KhalifaSat Successfully Launches into Outer Space

On October 29, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced the successful launch of KhalifaSat into space from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan onboard the H-IIA rocket. KhalifaSat is the first Emirati satellite to be 100 per cent developed at the facilities of MBRSC in the UAE by Emirati engineers. This marks a new milestone that adds to the UAE’s achievements and a new phase in the development of the national space sector.

KhalifaSat entered into a low earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 613 kilometres at 9:33 AM, 85 minutes after its launch. The first signal was successfully received at the ground station at MBRSC.

KhalifaSat is two metres high and weighs only 330 kg. Its speed is estimated at 7km/s, which enables it to orbit the Earth almost 14 and a half cycles daily. It has bagged five patents and developed seven space innovations that have given the satellite an enhanced digital camera; fast image download and high-speed communication capabilities from its position anywhere above the world; an automatic satellite control system with increased storage capacity; a satellite positioning technique that allows it to simultaneously capture multiple 3D images; as well as advanced target positioning for capturing high quality images with pinpoint accuracy and high speed.

A Proud Moment
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and MBRSC Chairman, followed the first contact made by the satellite with the ground station at the Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the entire nation on this achievement. The Crown Prince of Dubai said that this accomplishment is another milestone in securing a bright future for the nation. He noted the UAE has all the assets required to achieve excellence in advanced sciences.

Sheikh Hamdan said: “Today, we celebrate a significant national achievement. This project has been 100 per cent developed by Emiratis. The UAE is a key partner in the global efforts to make the world a happier and better place through scientific advances. We thank the team that launched KhalifaSat and encourage them to work harder to bring more achievements to this great nation.”

The launch of KhalifaSat was attended by Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency; Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of MBRSC; Khalid Al Ameri, UAE Ambassador to Japan; Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of MBRSC; Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, and Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director-General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at MBRSC. 

Supporting Global Efforts
KhalifaSat is the third satellite to be developed by MBRSC after DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2. What distinguishes it from the first two satellites is that it is the first satellite to be fully developed by a team of highly qualified Emirati engineers.

The satellite is one of the most technologically advanced remote-sensing earth observation satellites. 

The images provided by the satellite will be used in urban planning and management, ensuring the effective optimisation of land use and realistic infrastructure proposals. The images will also be used to develop detailed maps of targeted areas and monitor major engineering and construction projects.

It will also monitor environmental changes locally and internationally to support global efforts to preserve the environment. The satellite is also expected to provide detailed imagery of the ice caps at the North and South Poles, helping to detect the effects of global warming.

The hexagonally designed satellite is powered by four deployable solar panels attached to the sides of the satellite bus. There are two decks within the structure, as well as an upper sun shield made of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) that protects the sensitive camera system from temperature fluctuations and radiation. 

The MBRSC ground station in Dubai supports KhalifaSat and its functions from Earth. The ground system includes three main subsystems: Antenna and Radio Frequency (RF) subsystem, Mission Control Station (MCS), and Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS). The main function of the Antenna & RF subsystem is to transmit imaging orders, give commands to the satellite, receive information and download images through the X-band feed.

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