The UAE-made MBZ-SAT will be launched by the end of 2023 as the second operational Emirati satellite, Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), said on Friday.
The satellite made by Emirati engineers will support the Emirati space sector as it is the most advanced high-resolution imaging satellite in the region.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Marri said that a specialist team was sent to South Korea 17 years ago, which led to the establishment of the current Emirati space programme and the launch of locally-made satellites.
He also highlighted the ongoing cooperation with regional and international companies in establishing a local space industries centre, adding that related projects have helped train Emirati professionals, and who are also an inspiration to Emirati and Arab youth, such as Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori.