A miniature satellite that will monitor greenhouse gases over UAE was successfully launched into space on Monday.
MeznSat lifted-off on board a Russian Soyuz 2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia at 3.20pm Gulf Standard Time.
The nanosat, weighing 2.7 kilograms, will be carried to the low Earth orbit altitude of 575km and the first signal is expected to come about eight hours after launch if the nanosat remains 'healthy and alive'.
Developed by university students in the UAE, the nanosatellite will detect gases such as carbon dioxide and methane over the Emirates to help scientists reduce the impact of climate change.
The satellite was launched into the skies along with 18 other CubeSats.
It was built by students at the Khalifa University and American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) and funded by the UAE Space Agency.
"It is an honour for me to be part of developing our national nanosatellite programme," Abdulla Almesmari, a PhD student in mechanical engineering at Khalifa University who assisted with the testing and integration of MeznSat, told The National.
“MeznSat is a remarkable achievement for us, since it is the first UAE CubeSat with a 3-unit platform, carrying the short-wave infrared spectrometre. Looking forward to receive the first beacon from MeznSat.”
Maryam Saeed Al Nuaimi, an AURAK student who worked on the CubeSat’s programming, said: ”I am happy and proud of the success of the launch. Finally, MeznSat in space. We are waiting for the first contact.”
Students will use the YahSat Space Lab in Khalifa University as the primary ground station to process and analyse the nanosat’s data, as well as the ground station in AURAK.
MeznSat is the third CubeSat to be launched by the UAE, after Nayif-1 in 2017 and MySat-1 in 2018.
This is the first 3-unit nanosat to be built by the UAE, meaning it features more systems than the previous one-unit versions. MeznSat has the Argus 2000 spectrometre and RGB (red, green, blue) camera.
Both of these will be used for greenhouse gas monitoring, as well as predicting algal bloom. It will estimate the concentration of total suspended matter in the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf.
“These projects seek to develop national capabilities and enhance scientific research in universities, bringing up a new generation of Emirati engineers ready to join in the space sector,” said Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency (UAESA).
“This direction by UAESA aligns with the keen interest of the wise UAE leadership in engaging the youth in scientific projects and giving them the experience needed for the job market.”
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, executive vice-president of Khalifa University, said their students plan on developing three more nanosatellites in the future.
These include the MySat-2 and Light-1 CubeSats.
“Our students have the opportunity to contribute to these projects during their studies,” he said.
“Their research innovations will have a great impact on the future of the UAE’s space sector. We look forward to witnessing similar achievements, as we provide our students with an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities."
Sarah Al Amiri, the president of UAESA, also congratulated the university students on the successful launch.
She said experience-based learning helps prepare students for the job market.
"We would like to congratulate all the students and professors on this great achievement," said Ms Al Amiri.
"We are proud to see national capabilities designing, developing, and manufacturing satellites that will have an impact on UAE’s space sector."
UAESA used the commercial services of Exolaunch to launch MeznSat.
UAE playing a growing role in space sector:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
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Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
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Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
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Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
Foot Right
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
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UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
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Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
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info-box
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2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
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- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
