Photo Credit : WAM
The National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has announced the successful launch of the SEO satellite from China.
The satellite was carried aboard a Long March 2C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, marking another milestone in the UAE’s efforts to expand its national space capabilities and advance scientific and technological innovation.
The SEO project is designed to support the development of Emirati talent by giving local researchers and engineers hands-on experience in satellite design, development and operations. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with international partners.
Data collected through the mission will support scientific research and technology applications linked to sustainability and future development. It is expected to contribute to environmental protection, natural resource management, planning and informed decision-making.
Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said the launch aligns with the UAE’s vision and National Space Strategy, which seek to strengthen the country’s position among global leaders in the space sector.
He added that the mission demonstrates how cooperation between national and academic institutions can help build an advanced space ecosystem, develop Emirati expertise and increase the contribution of science and technology to the knowledge economy and sustainable development.
Dr. Nabil Mohammed Al Bastaki, Director of the National Space Science and Technology Centre, said the project reflects the centre’s continued commitment to advancing national space initiatives and building the UAE’s technical capabilities.
He noted that the mission will provide Emirati researchers and engineers with valuable practical expertise across key stages of satellite design, development and operation.
