DubaiSat-2

The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has launched a new strategic project for the Earth-observation satellite DubaiSat-3, the first satellite that will be completed in the UAE.

DubaiSat-3 is the third satellite programme to be undertaken by EIAST in collaboration with Satrec Initiative (SI), a South Korea-based solutions provider for Earth observation missions.

A team of 45 experts and engineers from the UAE will lead the development of DubaiSat-3 project and its ground systems, while SI will assume a consultative role.

The first two years of development of DubaiSat-3 will take place in South Korea, and in the final year and a half, the project will be transferred to EIAST’s satellite manufacturing facilities in Dubai.

EIAST stated that it will start developing its own clean room and satellite manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Dubai this year as part of preparations for the transfer of the DubaiSat-3 development to Dubai.

DubaiSat-3 will feature advanced imaging equipment compared to its two South Korean-built predecessors and is expected to be launched into space in 2017.

The launch of the DubaiSat-3 Project is the final stage of EIAST’s three-step approach that aims to achieve full capabilities, knowledge, facilities and research ability to develop advanced satellite missions domestically.

The first step to its satellite systems development focused on the transfer of technology and knowledge with the development of DubaiSat-1, which was developed by SI and launched by EIAST in 2009.

In step two, the institute established a core team of UAE experts and engineers to jointly develop DubaiSat-2, which is scheduled for launch this year.

With the latest project, EIAST aims to play a significant role in the development of the DubaiSat-3 satellite.

“It will feature a new, highly sophisticated camera system, which works as an accurate magnifier achieving a sub-metre resolution of 70cm from a distance of 600km above the surface of the Earth."

EIAST Scientific and Technical Affairs assistant director general Salem Al Marri said the satellite bus of DubaiSat-3 will be similar to that of DubaiSat-2, but there will be significant changes in its payload and the size of the camera.

"It will feature a new, highly sophisticated camera system, which works as an accurate magnifier achieving a sub-metre resolution of 70cm from a distance of 600km above the surface of the Earth," Al Marri said.

"There will also be improvements in the download speed and computing capabilities."

Established by the Dubai Government in 2006, EIAST is aimed to promote a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhance UAE nationals’ capacity in technological innovation and attaining leading scientific levels.

It is involved in outer space research and development, space imaging, manufacture of satellites and development of systems, as well as ground station services and support to other satellites.

Image: An artist’s rendering of DubaiSat-2 Earth-observation satellite, which is scheduled for launch later this year. Photo: courtesy of Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology.

Defence Technology