UAE-based Yahsat Space Lab has completed the assembly, integration and verification (AIV) of the engineering model of the MYSAT-1 satellite.

The engineering model is an exact replica of MYSAT-1’s flight satellite model and has been built and tested in real-time space and launch environments.

Results from the tests were presented to stakeholders at the Yahsat Space Lab and have helped the review board to declare the readiness of the model for the production of the flight model.

The MYSAT-1 flight model is expected to be shipped to Launch Service Provider and NASA in September.

“The achievement today is the fruit of our partnership with Khalifa University and Northrop Grumman.”

Scheduled to be launched by the last quarter of this year, the MYSAT-1 will be flown onboard the Cygnus OA-10 flight into the International Space Station from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS).

To be developed primarily for educational purposes, the satellite will be equipped with a camera to take images of the UAE from space to demonstrate the process of remote sensing.

Representing the first satellite to be developed by the students of UAE’s Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the satellite will also test a new lithium-ion battery designed and developed by the university’s students.

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) chief human capital officer Mona Al Muhairi said: “Yahsat is a proud contributor towards the UAE space agenda, through empowering national cadet with educational programmes qualifying them to play an active role in further strengthening the UAE’s position in the space sector.

“The achievement today is the fruit of our partnership with Khalifa University and Northrop Grumman to create the region’s first Masters in Engineering degree with a focus in Space Systems and Technology.”

The Yahsat Space Lab was established under Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, a partnership between Yahsat and Orbital ATK to develop and advance space technologies in line with the UAE’s advanced space ambitions.

Its AIV facilities can support the development of nanosatellites (CubeSats) of up to 6U form factor and a mass of 12kg.