Etihad Airways launches the UAE flag into space to mark the country's Flag Day. Photo: YouTube
Etihad Airways launches the UAE flag into space to mark the country's Flag Day. Photo: YouTube
Etihad Airways launches the UAE flag into space to mark the country's Flag Day. Photo: YouTube
Etihad Airways launches the UAE flag into space to mark the country's Flag Day. Photo: YouTube

UAE Flag Day: Etihad Airways sends country's flag into space


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Etihad Airways has taken UAE Flag Day to new heights by launching the country's flag into space.

The national airline of the UAE worked in collaboration with Send Into Space, a high-altitude balloon operator, to launch the flag to the edge of space, reaching an altitude of 32,182 metres above the Earth.

The flag travelled at a speed of 5.5 metres-per-second, on a flight that lasted two hours and 52 minutes. At its lowest point, the outside temperature reached -62ºC.

The journey was documented in a video, released on Etihad’s social media channels on Wednesday, to mark UAE Flag Day.

“The sky is not the limit for the UAE,” Etihad said in a tweet sharing the video. “In this 50th year, we are raising it high and taking the pride of the nation, the UAE flag, all the way into space!”

The video also features four young Emiratis, who share their hopes for the future of space exploration.

“I want to be the pilot on the UAE’s first passenger flight to the moon,” says one boy.

“I wish to be the first female Emirati astronaut on Mars,” a girl says.

The UAE became the first Arab country to send a probe to Mars when Hope started orbiting the planet in February.

The mission is part of the UAE's ambitious and expanding space programme, which this week announced its intention to visit Venus and explore seven asteroids in the Asteroid Belt.

What is UAE Flag Day?

Flag Day was first celebrated in 2013.

The idea was conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to celebrate the accession of Sheikh Khalifa as the President in 2004.

It is commemorated every year on the anniversary, November 3. It is not a public holiday.

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The specs

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Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

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Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

The design

The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.

More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.

The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.

The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.

A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.

Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.

Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.

Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.

 From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.

Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019. 

Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

SPECS
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

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Updated: November 03, 2021, 3:05 PM`