DubaiSat

The U.A.E. joined the ranks of spacefaring nations with the launch of its first government satellite, the DubaiSat-1. The launch of this satellite is an important step forward for the U.A.E.’s impressive efforts to further scientific discovery, technological innovation, and space development, both here in the Gulf and beyond.

DubaiSat 1, a 190 kg remote sensing satellite of the United Arab Emirates, was launched on a Dnepr rocket from Baikonur on 29 July 2009 at 18:46 UT. The satellite carries an optical imaging camera with a black-and-white resolution of about 2.5 m and a color resolution of 5 m. The data will be used for urban development, scientific research, telecommunications, transportation, construction and mapping applications, as well as for forecasting, water quality research and engineering tests.

The Satellite has been sending back high-resolution imagery of the Earth since its launch in 2009. Dubai-Sat-1 was the first wholly owned UAE satellite, and it generates optical images in panchromatic and multispectral bands at spatial resolution of 2.5m and 5m respectively. The satellite is a vital tool in helping the UAE and the Middle East develop infrastructure, monitor environmental changes and complete urban planning. DubaiSat-1 images are also integral to the promotion of geoscience and the support of a variety of science programs in both academia and the private sector.

DubaiSat-1 also played an extensive role for the United Nations (UN) in the monitoring of the relief efforts during the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan (2011). DubaiSat-1 continually monitors environmental changes as well as significant meteorological events across the Gulf and Asia, and is used to compliment ground measurements to predict sandstorms, fog and other potentially hazardous conditions.

Dubaisat 2

Dubaisat 2, NSSDC/COSPAR ID: 2013-066D, is an Earth observation satellite built by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology for the Satrec Initiative, a satellite manufacturing company in South Korea. Its purpose is to obtain images for commercial users in the United Arab Emirates. It was launched 21 November 2013 by a Dnepr Launch Vehicle. Dubaisat-2 was developed by EIAST, the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (United Arab Emirates) and Satrec Initiative (South Korea). Dubaisat-2 is an almost exact Deimos-2 twin.

On March 9, 2014 DubaiSat-2 of Emirates Institution of Advanced Science and Technology captured an image of the Dubai International Airport from outer space, characterized by high quality and a one meter resolution. DubaiSat-2 will provide images with higher quality electro-optical imagery of several institutions, inside and outside of the UAE, which can be used for various applications like urban planning, disaster management and scientific research. Work was begun following the successful completion of DubaiSat-1 in July 2009, and DubaiSat-2 was successfully launched on November 21, 2013 and is currently in a 600km sun-synchronous orbit.