The UAE's MBZ-Sat has beamed back its first signal from space following its historic launch on Tuesday night, confirming “all systems are operating efficiently” on the region's most advanced Earth observation satellite.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) on Wednesday said the satellite had now begun its mission to deliver data supporting global development, in a message shared on social media.
The launch of the satellite has been heralded as a major step forward for the UAE's space programme, which has made significant progress in recent years.
There was jubilation in the MBRSC on Tuesday night as the satellite blasted off into orbit shortly after 11pm, UAE time.
Engineers sat in neat rows, eyes fixed on glowing monitors displaying live telemetry data and visuals of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that carried MBZ-Sat into orbit from a spaceport in California.
“We have successfully launched MBZ-Sat, the region's most advanced satellite, marking a new milestone in the UAE’s space technology development,” Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, posted on X.
High-resolution imaging
MBZ-Sat, named after President Sheikh Mohamed, is a 700kg optical imaging satellite that has been developed by Emirati engineers, with most of its parts manufactured by local industry in a boost for the private sector.
MBRSC claims it is the most-advanced imaging satellite in the region, with a fully automated image scheduling and processing system that will allow it produce 10 times more images than the space centre did before. It is three times more powerful than KhalifaSat, an Emirati-built satellite operating since 2018. MBZ-Sat's downlink data transmission speed will be three times faster than its predecessor's.
While MBZ-Sat took the spotlight on Tuesday evening, three other satellites were on board the rideshare mission by SpaceX, which monitored the overall flight and deployment of the satellite from mission control in the US. MBRSC's role was to monitor the condition of MBZ-Sat, while tracking the status of the launch.
MBZ-Sat was announced in 2020, with an anticipated launch date of 2023. However, adjustments to timetables are common in space flight given the complexity of satellite development and the co-ordination required with launch providers.
Foresight-2: Efforts by local industry
Foresight-2, developed by AI-powered space technology company Space42, is a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite that was also launched on Tuesday. Unlike traditional optical imaging satellites, SAR technology allows Foresight-2 to capture high-resolution images regardless of the weather or time of day. This makes it invaluable for applications such as environmental monitoring, defence and disaster management.
Space42 was formed after a merger between Bayanat, a company responsible for processing satellite data, and satellite services company Yahsat. The merger helped create one of the world’s most valuable listed space companies. Hasan Al Hosani, chief executive of Bayanat Smart Solutions at Space42, told The National the satellite is part of Space42’s Foresight constellation programme, which aims to deliver real-time radar imagery for commercial and government clients.
“In less than six months since our first SAR satellite launch Foresight-1, Space42 has expanded its Earth observation capabilities following the successful deployment of the second phase of our Foresight Constellation,” he said. “Space42 plans to expand its leading position globally in this sector, creating a comprehensive SAR constellation, which is expected to be completed by 2027 to establish sovereign satellite data acquisition and processing capabilities.”
HCT-1 and AlAinSat-1: Students reach for the stars
Two CubeSats, or miniature satellites, built by students in the UAE were also on board the rocket on Tuesday. AlAinSat-1 was the first satellite launched by UAE University in Al Ain. It has been designed to use advanced imaging technology and machine learning to study vegetation, monitor environmental changes, and autonomously select and download valuable images for analysis.
Meanwhile, the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai launched its HCT-1, a CubeSat built by its students in collaboration with the MBRSC. It is equipped with technology to conduct basic Earth observation and communication experiments. Both CubeSats are the result of UAE efforts to integrate space education into its academic institutions, inspiring young talent to contribute to the nation’s growing space sector.
CREW
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Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Book%20Details
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 GMC Terrain
Price, base / as tested: Dh94,600 / Dh159,700
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 353Nm @ 2,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4L / 100km
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
