HAMDAN BIN MOHAMMED HAMAD AL MANSOURI PROFESSOR MELIKECHI A NEW EARTH

DISCOVER
UAE Space News
8 9
DISCOVER
UAE Space News
Hamdan bin Mohammed
works to develop a strategic
plan for MBRSC
Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that developments
carried out in the space sector provide added
value to the UAE’s various sectors, and to the
country’s international reputation.
“Our task now is to make sure that spacerelated
knowledge is put to productive
use,” said Sheikh Hamdan addressing the
board members and the team of engineers,
scientists, researchers and administrative staff
during the meeting. He also highlighted the
importance of building an Emirati generation
that has the confidence and courage to enter
into competition with major countries in the
competitive field of space.
“You are the core and the bedrock of a
successful future with regard to the space
sector, as our country is moving toward
knowledge-based technologies,” said Sheikh
Hamdan. He added that the UAE, under the
leadership of UAE President His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will lead
the region in the space sector, noting that His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum wants the UAE to be at the forefront
of the world’s biggest countries in this field
before 2021.
In relation to the 15-year strategy, Sheikh
Hamdan emphasised the importance of
encompassing all existing and future projects
and programs undertaken by MBRSC within
the plan. He added that developing a satellite
system, expanding in space exploration, and
initiating scientific projects and research within
the country will be a priority in the immediate
future.
Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum
wants the UAE to be
at the forefront of
the world’s biggest
countries in this field
before 2021.
Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by
Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum,
Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed
Abdullah Al Gergawi and Chairman of the
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of
the UAE (TRA), Mohamad Ahmad Al-Qamzi.
His Highness was briefed on the Hope project,
the Arab world’s first Mars probe, as well as
other satellite projects such as DubaiSat-1
and DubaiSat-2, which at the time marked
a national milestone as they were the first
Remote Sensing satellites to be fully-owned
by a UAE entity.
Sheikh Hamdan listened to a detailed
presentation on KhalifaSat, the first satellite to
be fully built and manufactured by the hands
of competent UAE experts, due to be sent into
orbit by 2018.
The presentation shed light on other projects
carried out by MBRSC, such as CubeSAT and
Nayif-1, the first satellite designed to meet the
scientific research needs of Emirati students
at the American University of Sharjah.
During the visit, His Highness checked
the initial facilities for the manufacture of
satellites, which include the Clean Room
and laboratories that are allocated for
electrical and mechanical engineering. These
facilities were built and equipped according
to the highest international standards and
specifications, and constitute the first phase
of the laboratories that are being currently
Hamdan bin Mohammed on a tour of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of
Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive
Council and Chairman of the Mohammed bin
Rashid Space Centre, chaired the first meeting
in the centre located in Al Khawaneej, in the
presence of the Board of Directors and the
team. He was briefed on MBRSC’s projects,
programs and future plans, in particular the
“Hope” Probe mission to Mars.
Sheikh Hamdan has directed the centre to
Under the leadership
of His Highness Sheik
Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the UAE will be a
pioneer in the Arab region
in the space field.
work on a 15-year strategy based on the
development of knowledge, human resources,
the improvement of scientific and technological
innovation, the development of the centre’s
satellite systems, and the expansion of all
space exploration programs.
The strategy encompasses all space
projects and programs to be developed by
the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre,
in line with the UAE and His Highness Sheik
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision
for the country to become among the leading
nations in the field of space by 2021.
In the conversation with MBRSC officials
ISSUE 02 ISSUE 02