Abu Dhabi - The first Emirati-made satellite - KhalifaSat - has lifted off into space from Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan early today morning, reported Khaleej Times.
The launch of the Earth observation satellite took place on October 29, at 8.08am (UAE-time) onboard the H2-A rocket, which was also carrying Japan's environment satellite, GoSat-2, along with KhalifaSat.
The launch was broadcast live on the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre's (MBRSC) website and it showed that GoSat-2 was successfully separated from the rocket and reached orbit at 8.25am.
A team of 70 Emirati engineers from MBRSC built KhalifaSat, which will be the third satellite the space centre has launched into space - DubaiSat1 was launched in 2009 and DubaiSat2 in 2013. Commercial and communication satellites by the UAE, YahSat-1,2 and Thuraya 1,2,3, have also been launched before.
However, KhalifaSat is set to be the most advanced Earth observation satellite for the UAE as it will take high-quality images. It will be able to take high-quality images, which will be provided to the UAE government for free by the MBRSC and at a cost to international entities.
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