8 September 2024, Sun |
3:30 AM
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team to discuss UAE space achievements. During the meeting, he praised the MBRSC team for their contributions and emphasized the UAE’s growing role as a global leader in space exploration. Sheikh Mohammed also received updates on the advanced MBZ-SAT satellite and the UAE Astronaut Programme.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team at Union House in Dubai.
Attendees included His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that under the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has become a major global player in space science and technology. This success is driven by a vision to strengthen the UAE’s position among leading countries in space exploration and the growing capabilities of Emirati talen
Senior officials present included Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Board of Directors MBRSC; Amer Al Sayegh Al Ghaferi, Assistant Director General of the Aerospace Engineering Sector at MBRSC; astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati female astronaut, and astronaut Mohammad Al Mulla.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the MBRSC team for their contributions to enhancing the UAE’s position in space technology. He stressed the need to intensify efforts to achieve more milestones in space technology and other fields shaping the future, which are essential for developing solutions to improve human life and overcome challenges.
The MBRSC team briefed Sheikh Mohammed on the latest updates of MBZ-SAT, the region’s most advanced satellite, and the second satellite fully developed by an Emirati team. The briefing covered the current phase of environmental testing crucial for ensuring the satellite’s resilience and functionality in space.
The team confirmed that after successful environmental testing, final launch preparations will begin. The MBZ-SAT is scheduled for launch no earlier than October 2024 on a SpaceX rocket.
Sheikh Mohammed was also updated on the UAE Astronaut Programme and its role in inspiring new space explorers. Astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla, who completed a two-year training programme at NASA, shared their preparations for future space missions. Sheikh Mohammed urged them to pursue excellence in this vital field.
Also present at the meeting were Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, and other senior officials.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MBRSC, expressed gratitude for the leadership’s continuous support, which has enabled the Centre and its team to achieve excellence in space technology and science.
“The vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inspires us to strengthen the UAE’s leadership in space. We are proud to work on the most advanced satellite in the Arab world, named after the President of the UAE. We have great ambitions for our country’s future in space exploration, and we pledge to continue achieving milestones that contribute to its global leadership,” he said.
The UAE Astronaut Programme, launched by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world. It aims to train and prepare Emirati astronauts for scientific research-focused space missions, fostering a culture of scientific exploration and inspiring youth to pursue science and space technology.
