Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology (EIAST) announced that the clustered launch of a satellite group including DubaiSat-1, which was scheduled for July 25, has been postponed by the launching company – International Space Company (Cosmotras) – to July 29, 2009. This is to undertake more safety and security tests.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Mansoori, Director General of EIAST said: "It is extremely important that the launching company ensures maximum readiness of all equipment related to the launch pad and satellites, including DubaiSat-1, travelling aboard the Dnepr Rocket. Delays in launching procedures are not unusual and happen frequently as it is linked to the results of the final tests undertaken by the team of scientists and experts to ensure accomplishing the process in the smoothest way possible."
The UAE task force already achieved all tests on DubaiSat-1 and presented its report on the readiness of the satellite for navigating into the outer space. EIAST is cooperating with Cosmotras to make the launch a success on July 29, 2009, although technical, technological or meteorological reasons could cause delays.
The DubaiSat-1 is the first remote sensing satellite owned by the UAE which represents the country's determination to possess advanced space technologies to fulfil the needs of scientific and technological research, as well as to provide up-to-date spatial and earth monitoring data that aids the holistic growth drive adopted by the nation.
The launch of DubaiSat-1 consists of two segments; space, and ground. The space segment comprises development, design and manufacture of satellite equipment and components of the measurement and imaging.The ground segment comprises mission control station, image receiving and processing station, and antenna and RF subsystem. Images from DubaiSat-1 can be used for many applications such as urban development, scientific research, telecommunications, transportation, civil engineering & constructions, mapping and GIS.
