DMSat-1 will help create a database of air pollutant sources in the UAE, including levels of dust. Mbrsc
DMSat-1 will help create a database of air pollutant sources in the UAE, including levels of dust. Mbrsc
A Soyuz 2.1a rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Roscomos
A Soyuz 2.1a rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Roscomos
The payload from the UAE includes an environment satellite, called DMSat-1. Mbrsc
The payload from the UAE includes an environment satellite, called DMSat-1. Mbrsc
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket is carrying 38 international payloads from 18 countries to space. Roscosmos
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket is carrying 38 international payloads from 18 countries to space. Roscosmos
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket lifts off at 10.07am Gulf Standard Time. Roscosmos
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket lifts off at 10.07am Gulf Standard Time. Roscosmos
The payload separation of 37 small satellites will take place four hours after lift off. Roscosmos
The payload separation of 37 small satellites will take place four hours after lift off. Roscosmos
The weather conditions were rainy at the launch site, but conditions were suitable for a lift offR. Roscosmos
The weather conditions were rainy at the launch site, but conditions were suitable for a lift offR. Roscosmos
The launch of four Arab satellites was postponed to March 22, after a voltage strike in the upper stage of the Soyuz 2.1a rocket occurred. Glavkosmos
The launch of four Arab satellites was postponed to March 22, after a voltage strike in the upper stage of the Soyuz 2.1a rocket occurred. Glavkosmos
The initial launch attempt on March 20 was called off by Russian space agency Roscosmos. The rocket will carry 38 international payloads from 18 countries. Two small satellites are from Saudi Arabia, one from the UAE and one from Tunisia. Glavkosmos
The initial launch attempt on March 20 was called off by Russian space agency Roscosmos. The rocket will carry 38 international payloads from 18 countries. Two small satellites are from Saudi Arabia, one from the UAE and one from Tunisia. Glavkosmos
DMSat-1 will monitor concentrations of greenhouses gases that contribute to climate change, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour. Mbrsc
DMSat-1 will monitor concentrations of greenhouses gases that contribute to climate change, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour. Mbrsc
Dubai Municipality and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (Mbrsc) are overseeing the project. The Space Flight Laboratory in University of Toronto manufactured and built the 15-kilogram satellite. Mbrsc
Dubai Municipality and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (Mbrsc) are overseeing the project. The Space Flight Laboratory in University of Toronto manufactured and built the 15-kilogram satellite. Mbrsc
The satellite’s main scientific instrument is the polarimeter imager, which will collect data. It will work at seven different angles with two different polarisations. Mbrsc
The satellite’s main scientific instrument is the polarimeter imager, which will collect data. It will work at seven different angles with two different polarisations. Mbrsc
An engineer works on the satellite. Mbrsc
An engineer works on the satellite. Mbrsc

UAE

UAE in Space

Dubai to share satellite data with global space consortium in fight against climate change

Data from environmental satellite, DMSat-1 to support international efforts to protect the planet

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

July 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai will share data from its environmental satellite with a global space consortium that monitors the effects of climate change.

DMSat-1, which was launched into space in March 2021, captures scientific images of the atmosphere over the UAE, helping to measure the location and levels of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Dubai Municipality and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is using its findings to create an air quality map of the UAE.

Now the key information beamed back by the satellite is being shared with the Space Climate Observatory International, a non-profit organisation that works with space agencies and private companies around the world.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, which oversees the satellite, joined the consortium this week, which is led by the French space agency.

Salem AlMarri, director general of the space centre, signed the organisation’s charter.

“This is a significant step, undertaken in partnership with Dubai Municipality, towards fulfilling our mission to initiate collaborations with international organisations to use the data we collect from DMSat-1,” he said.

“Our efforts will contribute to global efforts to monitor the impact of climate change, a critical issue that is vital to the sustainability of the planet and the survival of mankind.”

Global effort to combat climate change

The announcement comes at a time when the world is facing the damaging effects of climate change.

Heatwaves in many parts of the world have become more intense, with the UK and other parts of Europe in the past week experiencing record temperatures of more than 40ºC.

The satellite was built by the University of Toronto’s space flight laboratory.

Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, said that the satellite is already collecting important data.

“The satellite has deployed advanced monitoring techniques and mechanisms in the field of air quality assurance and the reduction of air environment pollutants, in line with global developments in the field of space data and remote sensing,” he said.

“The nanometric satellite, which has introduced significant innovations in environmental monitoring in the Arab world, is now making vital strategic contributions on a global scale.”

All European space agencies support the consortium, which has national chapters in Russia, China, Japan, India, Morocco and the UAE.

Members make their satellite data accessible to the entire organisation, as well as the international community, to help in the assessment and monitoring of the global effects of climate change.

Last week, the UAE Space Agency announced plans to develop and launch a radar satellite constellation that will analyse weather and monitor climate change.

Climate change around the world - in pictures

Engineers carry solar panels on to the roof of a property in Barcelona in September 2022. Spain and other Mediterranean countries have generated record amounts of power from wind and solar farms. Bloomberg
Engineers carry solar panels on to the roof of a property in Barcelona in September 2022. Spain and other Mediterranean countries have generated record amounts of power from wind and solar farms. Bloomberg
Smoke rises from brick factory stacks in Nahrawan, Baghdad. Tackling emissions from heavy industry is crucial to tackling global warming. Reuters
Smoke rises from brick factory stacks in Nahrawan, Baghdad. Tackling emissions from heavy industry is crucial to tackling global warming. Reuters
A boy stands near a flock of sheep as a sandstorm approaches in the Syrian countryside of Tabqa. Syria is among the countries most vulnerable and poorly prepared for climate change, which is expected to worsen. AFP
A boy stands near a flock of sheep as a sandstorm approaches in the Syrian countryside of Tabqa. Syria is among the countries most vulnerable and poorly prepared for climate change, which is expected to worsen. AFP
Mountains of smouldering rubbish at the Bhalswa landfill in New Delhi, India. Reuters
Mountains of smouldering rubbish at the Bhalswa landfill in New Delhi, India. Reuters
Greenpeace activists take part in a climate change protest in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in May. AP
Greenpeace activists take part in a climate change protest in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in May. AP
A man carries water bottles across the heavily polluted Negro River in Manaus, Brazil. About 35 tonnes of rubbish are removed daily from the river. AP
A man carries water bottles across the heavily polluted Negro River in Manaus, Brazil. About 35 tonnes of rubbish are removed daily from the river. AP
A helicopter drops water on a brush fire in California. Bloomberg
A helicopter drops water on a brush fire in California. Bloomberg
UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa speaks on the opening day of the Bonn climate change conference in Germany. Getty
UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa speaks on the opening day of the Bonn climate change conference in Germany. Getty
Activists take part in a demonstration to raise awareness of global warming, during an event to mark World Environment Day in Kolkata. AFP
Activists take part in a demonstration to raise awareness of global warming, during an event to mark World Environment Day in Kolkata. AFP
A helicopter drops water on a bushfire near a residential district in Athens. The fire forced residents to flee. AFP
A helicopter drops water on a bushfire near a residential district in Athens. The fire forced residents to flee. AFP
A gauge measures water levels in the Rio Nambe river, in New Mexico. Ninety per cent of the state is experiencing extreme drought. Getty
A gauge measures water levels in the Rio Nambe river, in New Mexico. Ninety per cent of the state is experiencing extreme drought. Getty
Afghan refugees search for recyclable material from heaps of rubbish in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
Afghan refugees search for recyclable material from heaps of rubbish in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
A climate activist ties herself to the net during the semi-final tennis match between Croatia's Marin Cilic and Norway's Casper Ruud at the French Open in Roland Garros in Paris. AP
A climate activist ties herself to the net during the semi-final tennis match between Croatia's Marin Cilic and Norway's Casper Ruud at the French Open in Roland Garros in Paris. AP
A dance group performs at a climate summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Getty
A dance group performs at a climate summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Getty
US climate envoy John Kerry talks to a delegate at the Stockholm 50 climate summit. Getty
US climate envoy John Kerry talks to a delegate at the Stockholm 50 climate summit. Getty
A boat is stranded during low tide at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq. Reuters
A boat is stranded during low tide at the Chebayesh marsh in Dhi Qar province, Iraq. Reuters
A woman crosses a polluted river in Dhaka, Bangladesh. EPA
A woman crosses a polluted river in Dhaka, Bangladesh. EPA
A man walks past an abandoned boat in the bed of a drought-affected reservoir on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen. EPA
A man walks past an abandoned boat in the bed of a drought-affected reservoir on the outskirts of Sana'a, Yemen. EPA
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Test squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan(wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

Twenty20 squad: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz 

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Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

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Updated: July 20, 2022, 2:25 PM
DubaiSpaceEnvironmentUAE