His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, recently met with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team at Union House in Dubai. During the meeting, held earlier in July, the MBRSC team provided updates on MBZ-SAT, the region’s most advanced satellite.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, under whose guidance the UAE has emerged as a significant global player in space science and technology. This success stems from a bold vision to enhance the UAE’s status among leading nations in space exploration, driven by the increasing expertise of Emirati talent.
The MBZ-SAT is currently in the environmental testing phase, a critical stage for verifying the satellite’s durability and functionality in space. Upon successful completion of these tests, the team will begin final launch preparations. Scheduled for launch in October 2024 on a SpaceX rocket, the mission will be led by Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati female astronaut, alongside Mohammad Al Mulla, who has completed a two-year training program at NASA.
The MBZ-SAT will be the region’s most advanced commercial satellite, specializing in high-resolution satellite imagery with round-the-clock image-capturing capabilities. Sheikh Mohammed encouraged the team to strive for the highest levels of excellence in this vital field.
