Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC), approved MBZ-SAT for launch no earlier than October 2024.
According to Amac News: Hamdan confirmed the launch of MBZ-SAT, the most advanced satellite of the UAE, during a visit to the MBRSC headquarters and the latest updates.
He said: "We are on the cusp of a transformative era in space exploration and the upcoming launch of MBZ-SAT marks an important moment that confirms the UAE's growing influence as a major global contributor to space technology."
MBZ-SAT is scheduled to launch on a Space X rocket as early as October 2024, further cementing the UAE's position in the global space industry and its commitment to the advancement of space science and technology.
MBZ-SAT was developed by a team of Emirati engineers. With the participation of local companies in the construction of nearly 90% of its mechanical structures and most of its electronic modules, this satellite has significantly advanced the localization of aerospace manufacturing in the region.
In addition, MBZ-SAT, equipped with one of the most powerful cameras developed in the region, can capture high-definition images with unprecedented resolution and cover areas of less than one square meter.
After launch, MBZ-SAT will be operated and monitored from the Mission Control Center at MBRSC. This advanced earth observation satellite will join the ranks of the UAE's current active satellites and will significantly increase the capabilities of the MBRSC.