Launch of UAE KhalifaSat : The first UAE-built satellite launched from Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan

It was a textbook launch for KhalifaSat from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, on-board the H2A rocket, which lifted off at 8:08 AM Dubai time on Monday.

The first 100% Emirati-engineered and -developed satellite, was manufactured in the UAE at the Mohammad bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said in a tweet: "A new historic day for the UAE. The launch of 'KhalifaSat' is the first Arabic satellite 100% Emirati-made. A milestone for UAE as Emiratis proved their ability, maturity, knowledge and ambition, joining the global race with our heads up."

His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE, tweeted: "An unprecedented Emirati achievement launching the first satellite, KhalifaSat, with Emirati hands. Our dream to embrace space has become a reality for our young people, who are launching a new stage of scientific challenge. We are proud our youth, Zayed's children and their achievements that demonstrate that Arabs are able to compete and lead."

What will happen after orbital insertion?

■ MBRSC has a timeframe of about one week of actual management of the spacecraft in space. This includes different activities like managing the satellite telemetries and making sure the communication between the satellite and the ground station is correct, Amer Al Sayegh, KhalifaSat Project Manager, said.

■ KhalifaSat’s sensors will be tested through what is called orbit calibration to fix or adjust some parameters of the sensors, ensuring the satellite is working accurately in space.

■ After this, the satellite will start taking images for calibration. Special calibration sites are designated for this purpose. This is like taking an image of a blank area to analyse the behaviour of its sensors.

■ The first official photo be taken by the KhalifaSat will be that of a “unique place” on earth that will be revealed later on.

In a tweet, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, said: "We are all proud of the capabilities of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, the owners of this important project which bears the name of the head of state. Our celebration during the year of Zayed takes a new dimension as the image of our founding father reaches outer space."

He added: "We congratulate the leadership and the people of the UAE on the successful launch of 'KhalifaSat', which was manufactured entirely by Emirati engineers and arrived today in its orbit, confirming the rise of the ambitions of our people and the energies of our youth."

Source : Gulf News