Successful launch for UAE’s MBZ-SAT Earth-imaging satellite
Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached a significant milestone in its space programme. On January 14, 2025, MBZ-SAT, an Earth-imaging satellite, successfully launched from NASA’s Vandenberg Air Force Base launchpad in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
MBZ-SAT, named in honour of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, is designed to capture high-resolution imagery for various applications, including environmental monitoring, disaster relief, infrastructure management, and navigation. Its advanced capabilities will dramatically improve the assessment and response to natural disasters.
The satellite features cutting-edge technology, including double the image capture accuracy of its predecessors, four times faster data transfer speeds, and the ability to produce 10 times more images. MBZ-SAT will orbit Earth at an altitude of 500-550km in low Earth orbit, providing unprecedented precision for global observation. The satellite’s mages will be processed and delivered in under two hours, providing crucial insights for decision-makers in disaster management and environmental monitoring.
The satellite’s development began in 2020, when HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, announced the project. Emirati engineers at the Dubai-based Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) developed the satellite, which was approved for launch by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, last year.
Before its launch, MBZ-SAT underwent testing at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in South Korea. The tests, including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, and mass properties, ensured that the satellite would perform effectively under extreme space conditions. Then, it was transported to California for final launch preparations.
Speaking about the satellite’s launch, Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, praised the project as a reflection of the UAE’s commitment to innovation and progress. “MBZ-SAT represents more than just a technological achievement; it embodies the UAE’s determination to lead in space science and contribute meaningfully to the global space community,” he said.
“Through every advancement, we are empowering future generations to dream bigger and harness the full potential of space science to support sustainable development on Earth.”
In addition to its technological innovations, MBZ-SAT’s development has spurred economic growth in the UAE by fostering a robust local aerospace ecosystem. Nearly 90% of the satellite’s mechanical structures and a significant portion of its electronic modules were produced in collaboration with companies operating in the UAE, including Strata, EPI, Rockford Xellerix, Halcon, Falcon, and EGA. This collaboration has helped build the UAE’s space technology capabilities while ensuring the transfer of critical knowledge and skills to local talent.
MBZ-SAT is managed from MBRSC’s Mission Control Centre, where teams monitor the satellite’s operations and analyse the data transmitted back to Earth.
Hero image: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from NASA’s Vandenberg Air Force Base launchpad with the MBZ-SAT payload on January 14, 2025. Credit: SpaceX
