UAE's MBZ-SAT set to launch from the US

The UAE's Earth-observation satellite, the MBZ-SAT, is set to launch on Tuesday at 22:49 GST from a base in the United States.

Named in honour of the Emirati President, the satellite will head into low orbit aboard the Space X Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force base in California.

Live coverage will begin at 21:30 GST. Viewers can watch the launch here. 

Fully developed by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), MBZ-SAT will revolutionize Earth observation with its advanced imaging capabilities.

It offers image accuracy twice as precise as previous models and can capture ten times more imagery. Its automated system will process and deliver images in under two hours, supporting key areas like environmental monitoring, disaster relief and infrastructure management.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including electric propulsion, a highly accurate navigation system, and enhanced data transfer speeds, MBZ-SAT is set to deliver unparalleled precision in imaging. 

MBZ-SAT, the most advanced satellite in the region, will launch to space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket today. Watch the live coverage of the mission beginning at 9:30 pm (UAE time). The mission will launch at 10:49 pm: https://t.co/UpeGcR579S#MBZSAT pic.twitter.com/HPu9G5KQ47

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) January 14, 2025