Representing the United Arab Emirates, Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, attended and spoke at the summit on behalf of MBRSC
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) took part in the 7th Summit on Earth Observation Business held in Paris. Representing the United Arab Emirates, Eng. Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, attended and spoke at the summit on behalf of MBRSC and introduced the Centres projects and goals to the participants.
During his session Eng. Al Marri discussed the different sectors of MBRSC, he focused on MBRSCs main projects, and also spoke about how innovation is a major focus throughout all of the Centers projects. He gave updates on KhalifaSat, the first Emirati-built satellite scheduled for launch in 2018; DubaiSat-1, the first remote sensing satellite owned by the UAE and DubaiSat-2, the Earth observation satellite. In his presentation, he spoke about the upcoming Emirates Mars Mission, (Hope Probe), which will be the first Arab Mission to another planet, highlighting the great contribution the mission will add to human knowledge.
Commenting on the Centres attendance at the Summit, Eng. Al Marri stated that It is a great privilege to represent the MBRSC in the 7th Summit on Earth Observation Business and to contribute our knowledge as a nation and to be able to add value to the senior echelon in space technology & business in the world today. Through the Centres activities, we are continuing our goal of contributing critical data to mankind with the objective of advancing human knowledge in the space sector.
Al Marri concluded: The Centre is in continuous collaboration with local and international partners and is conducting technical studies to determine their current and future requirements, in satellite imagery and space applications, and summits such as these shine the light on how we can also use our satellite imagery for commercial purposes.
MBRSC is a Dubai Government entity which aims to promote scientific innovation and technology advancement in Dubai and the UAE. The Centre works on research projects and studies related to space science, in line with the approach of the United Arab Emirates, in its quest to develop the sector and build national academic skills through it.
Among the most prominent tasks entrusted to the Centre are the design, implementation, and supervision of all phases of launching the Hope Probe to explore Mars. The Centre is also responsible for all projects related to satellite technology and applications and specialized projects, and advanced technical projects assigned to stakeholders. Also, the Centre provides space imaging and earth station services and support to other satellite services.
In 2009, MBRSC launched “DubaiSat-1″ into space, the first remote sensing satellite. In 2013, the second satellite “DubaiSat-2″ was launched, while work is underway to launch the third satellite “KhalifaSat”, which is being built purely by Emirati engineering and expertise in the UAE.
