In pictures, the UAE launches a new satellite this afternoon from a space base in Russia

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Today, the UAE launches the miniature environmental satellite "MuznSat", which is the first of its kind in the country. It was designed and developed by thirty students from Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the American University in Ras Al Khaimah. The satellite was designed to settle in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 575 km after its launch from Russia's Plesetsk space base on board the "Soyuz" missile at 15:20 UAE time.

A team of graduate students at Khalifa University and undergraduate students at the American University - Ras Al Khaimah will monitor, process and analyze the data that MuznSat sends to the main earth station in the Yahsat Laboratory at Khalifa University and the sub-earth station at the American University in Ras Al Khaimah.

During the past two months, the team completed all final tests and experiments prior to the launch, including compatibility and readiness tests, environmental thermal vacuum testing as well as vibration tests for final preparation for launch.  

MuznSat is classified within the category of nanoscale satellites, with dimensions of 10 x 10 x 30 cm, and a weight of 2.7 kg.

Its development process took three years, during which students worked on the various stages of the project, including developing a work plan, developing and implementing the necessary designs, then developing and manufacturing the main parts of the moon in addition to the ground station and digital camera.

The students also participated in conducting experiments and tests to ensure the readiness of the scientific devices that he will carry, as well as his ability to receive orders and successfully send the required data and images.

The students also developed algorithms for processing the scientific data that the moon will capture.

Muznat, upon reaching its orbit, will monitor the greenhouse gases that cause greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide and measure their distribution in the atmosphere, noting that the increased emission of these gases into the atmosphere leads to a rise in temperatures on the surface of the planet.

The satellite carries two devices, a shortwave infrared spectrometer ranging in length between 1,000 and 1,650 nanometers, in addition to a digital camera that can capture high-resolution color images.

The launch of this satellite comes within the plans of the space education program in universities of the Emirates Space Agency, which aims to establish an integrated educational and scientific structure, develop young national cadres and encourage them to work in the space sector.

By providing students with a unique opportunity to transform acquired theoretical knowledge into practice and practical application supported by the inspirational experiences of the most prominent engineers and space engineering experts in the country.  

The Director General of the Emirates Space Agency, Dr. Eng. Muhammad Nasser Al-Ahbabi, confirmed that launching MuznSat according to the previously prepared plan translates the ability of young people in the Emirates, including students interested in studying scientific specializations related to the field of space, to contribute to the realization of the country's aspirations in the space sector.

He added that the "MuznSat" project comes within the efforts made to consolidate knowledge progress in the national space sector and enhance scientific research activities in universities, to create a new generation of national cadres able to contribute to future development plans for the space sector.

For his part, Deputy CEO of Khalifa University, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, said: We are pleased to see the success of our students in contributing to the completion of the work on the new satellite "MuznSat", which was carried out in cooperation with the Emirates Space Agency, and we also have a plan to manufacture three miniature satellites. Other to come.

These achievements come to confirm the innovation approach pursued by Khalifa University in the vital areas of the state, including the promising space sector, which is witnessing a number of important and successive historical achievements, as university students contribute to these projects and achievements, and the innovations that they undertake during their research at the university will have A major impact on the future of the space sector in the country.

We look forward to witnessing more of these accomplishments and we also thank our partners, led by the Emirates Space Agency, for their support and providing the opportunity for our students to highlight their capabilities, which will benefit the space sector in general in the future.

In turn, the President of the American University in Ras Al Khaimah, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al-Alkeem, said: “The launch of the MuznSat satellite on September 28, 2020, is a milestone in the history of the American University in Ras Al Khaimah. This achievement is the result of joint efforts between the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and the University of Ras Al Khaimah. Khalifa and under the auspices of the Emirates Space Agency, this achievement reflects the optimal approach to providing students with an integrated educational experience that blends theory and practice in a manner that prepares them for a promising career.

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