The Dubai-based Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has awarded a contract to International Space Company Kosmotras (ISCK) in Russia to launch its second remote sensing satellite DubaiSat-2.

Under the contract, DubaiSat-2 will be launched on board a Dnepr Rocket through ISCK Kosmotras from Yasny Cosmodrome in Northern Russia in 2012.

The satellite, weighing 300kg, will be placed into a 600km circular sun synchronous orbit and used for remote sensing.

The quality of images, resolution and agility of DubaiSat-2 has been improved prior to the launch.

The DubaiSat-2 project is a joint development programme between EIAST and SatrecI of South Korea.