UAE-Bahraini nanosatellite Light-1 launched on SpaceX rocket

A UAE-Bahraini nanosatellite 'Light-1' has launched into space from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre at 2:07 pm (local time) on Tuesday.

'Light-1' will reach the International Space Station at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, and will begin operations after it's deployed into orbit in January.

The @SpaceX #CRS24 Cargo Dragon successfully lifted off at 5:07 am ET (10:07 UT). It's on the way to the @Space_Station! The crew will welcome @ISS_Research, food & special holiday supplies when the capsule arrives Dec. 22 at 4:30am ET (9:30 UT). pic.twitter.com/f6VJmHFRIe

— NASA (@NASA) December 21, 2021

SpaceX CRS24 Cargo Dragon is carrying 2,948 kilograms of fresh supplies, experiment hardware, and holiday treats for the astronauts.

Stage separation confirmed! The @SpaceX Dragon is now floating freely and flying toward the @Space_Station with science, supplies, and holiday treats aboard for the @NASA_Astronauts. pic.twitter.com/ncOPLLXNgd

— NASA (@NASA) December 21, 2021

The cubesat, built and designed in collaboration between the UAE Space Agency and Bahrain's National Space Science Agency (NSSA), will monitor and study terrestrial gamma ray flashes from thunderstorms and cumulus clouds.

ضوء 1 إلى المحطة الدولية.. و #الإمارات تقود الحراك العربي في قطاع الفضاء#تـقرير_وام https://t.co/dR3R88EzNd pic.twitter.com/UAnyAk9Gvd

— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) December 21, 2021

A team of 23 students from Khalifa University and New York University Abu Dhabi have helped develop the research spacecraft.