The UAE has established several centres and entities to support research and development of space sciences. The UAE established the UAE Space Agency under Federal Law by Decree No. 1 of 2014. The UAE Space Agency is responsible for organising, supervising and managing the nation's space sector as well as supporting its contribution to the national economy. The agency works to raise awareness about the importance of space technologies, enhance national capabilities and encourage peaceful application of space research.
Space centres
The UAE Space Agency is working on the establishment of the first space research centre in the Middle East. The centre, which will cost nearly AED100 million over five years, is the result of a strategic partnership between the UAE Space Agency, UAE University and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority represented by the ICT Fund.
The centre will act as an incubator for space research and innovation, to help individuals and universities interested to have the ability of contributing to space research.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) (previously known as Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology), is known for launching and placing into orbit of satellites DubaiSat 1 and DubaiSat 2, providing satellite imagery, satellite image analysis, ground station leasing and antenna hosting service. MBRSC developied also the UAE's fifth satellite - KhalifaSat.
KhalifaSat is one of the most technologically advanced remote sensing observation satellites that was manufactured by a team of Emirati engineers from MBRSC.
KhalifaSat provides high-quality detailed imagery enabling the UAE to provide competitive services all over the world in the satellite imagery sector. The images will be used in urban planning and management, which ensure effective optimisation of land use and realistic infrastructure proposals.
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