“Nano-satellites” enhance the leadership of UAE universities in the field of space

The country’s universities continue their pioneering role in developing national capabilities and enhancing scientific research activities through the development of satellites based on their possession of advanced technology and specialized research centers, in addition to the Emirati cadres that manage this system, which contributes to supporting the required knowledge, to enhance the country’s ambitions and position in the space sector.

Nano-satellite projects reflect the UAE universities’ commitment to academic and scientific excellence, and place them on the map of the world’s leading educational institutions in the field of basic and applied research in space technologies. In addition, these projects constitute an important scientific and practical platform for preparing and training young national cadres in space sciences, and providing them with the necessary expertise that It qualifies them to achieve the country’s ambitious future vision for this vital sector.

“Ain Sat”

Al Ain Sat, which will be launched by the United Arab Emirates University this week via the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is considered the latest satellite designed and manufactured by Emirati students. It aims to enable student teams from various local and international universities to work on… Develop small satellites, and then exchange experiences and knowledge.

The university indicated that the design of the satellite is a cube with the size of three cubic units, and its dimensions are 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm. It operates in low Earth orbit and its mass is 3.7 kg. Its objectives include enabling students to develop satellite payloads and developing low-cost Earth observation payloads. And testing, monitoring soil moisture, vegetation, radio interference, and sensing the atmosphere, in addition to classifying images and automatically uploading high-quality images.

“Nayef 1”

“Nayef-1” is the country’s first nanometer satellite, launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center in cooperation with a number of leading educational institutions, most notably the American University of Sharjah, within the framework of the Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Program in Space Sciences. It contributed to developing the skills of Emirati engineering students in the space technology sector, as it contributed to developing the skills of Emirati engineering students in the space technology sector. It is the first nano-satellite programmed to transmit messages in Arabic and English via radio wave frequencies.

“MySat-1”

“MySat-1” is also considered the first mini-satellite developed by Khalifa University students. It arrived in space in February 2019 via the NG-10 Cygnus spacecraft, where the educational and communication mini-satellite sent images from space that were received by the ground station at Khalifa University.

“Dhabi Sat”

“DhabiSat” comes as the second miniature satellite designed and built by Khalifa University students. The main mission of “DhabiSat” was to enable students to design, implement and test software models for the control mode and subsystems, as the satellite was built in the Yahsat Space Laboratory of the Khalifa University Center. Space technology and innovation.

“MeznSat”

The Emirates Space Agency, in cooperation with Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, launched a project to develop and build the “MeznSat” satellite to study the Earth’s atmosphere. Students from both universities designed and built “MeznSat” for use in collecting and analyzing data related to levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, methane and carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere of the UAE, benefiting from the Yahsat Space Laboratory, which is located at Khalifa University.

UAE universities have confirmed that supporting scientific research efforts, innovations, and space projects is one of the most important goals of their strategic plans, given the importance of the space sector as a pivot to building the future of the Emirates, which depends on the advanced technology sector, which makes them place providing support for space science research and discoveries at their highest priority.