MBRSC announces details of launch of Etihad-SAT
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today announced details of the launch of its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, Etihad-SAT.
The satellite, developed in partnership with the Republic of Korea's Satrec Initiative, is scheduled for launch in the first week of March 2025 aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA.
Etihad-SAT represents a significant milestone in MBRSC's Satellite Development Programme, as it is the first satellite equipped with SAR imaging technology. The advanced capability will enhance the centre's Earth observation capabilities by providing high-resolution images in all weather conditions, while further advancing the UAE's expertise in satellite technology.
Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, said, "The launch of Etihad-SAT reflects the UAE's commitment to strengthening its capabilities in the space sector by adopting the latest advancements in satellite development. Adding a SAR satellite to our fleet expands our ability to provide solutions that support our journey toward a knowledge and innovation-based economy."
Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, said, "Etihad-SAT is the result of our collaboration with Satrec Initiative as part of a knowledge-transfer programme," adding that the satellite will support many vital sectors in the UAE.
The development of Etihad-SAT began two years ago as part of a knowledge transfer programme in collaboration with Korea's Satrec Initiative.
The satellite offers three imaging modes: spot mode (high-resolution imaging for small areas), scan mode (wide-area coverage for large regions) and strip mode (extended observation for longer regions).
Once deployed, Etihad-SAT will join the UAE's current fleet of satellites, significantly enhancing MBRSC's remote sensing capabilities. MBRSC will oversee the satellite's operations, ensuring rapid data exchange and processing with the support of artificial intelligence.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Vertical farming in the UAE: Fresh, clean, and grown by code
In a country better known for sand dunes than salad bowls, something quietly radical is growing behind glass walls. Inside brightly lit, climate-controlled farms, tomatoes ripen untouched by pesticides, and lettuce flourishes in vertical towers; no soil, no sunlight, no tractors. This isn't traditional farming; it's agriculture reimagined for the 21st century. No dirt under your nails. No crop seasons to worry about. Just smart tech feeding smart cities. Once dismissed as futuristic novelties, vertical farms are now rising in malls, warehouses, and hotel rooftops across the Emirates. They're feeding more than just a population — they're feeding a movement for cleaner, smarter, more sustainable food. At a time of water scarcity and climate disruption, the UAE isn't just adapting, it's innovating. As told to BTR magazine, both UNS Vertical Farms and Pure Harvest Smart Farms are reshaping how the UAE thinks about agriculture and food doesn't have to grow from the ground anymore — sometimes, it grows from innovation. And somehow — it tastes even better. Less water, more yield Ask anyone in agriculture and they'll tell you: water is everything. Which is precisely why the 90% reduction in water usage by vertical farms feels like a game changer — especially in a place like the UAE, where every drop counts. 'At UNS Farms, we run a closed-loop hydroponic system,' says Mehlam Murtaza, Executive Director at UNS Vertical Farms. 'That means water isn't lost to the soil or evaporated — it's recycled and reused. We deliver exactly what the plant needs, directly to the roots. No more, no less.' Instead of sprawling fields, UNS builds up — using vertical racks that multiply their yield per square meter. Combine that with a climate-controlled environment and you get high-output farming that's unaffected by the region's sweltering heat or unreliable rainfall. 'We've essentially engineered a micro-climate inside our farms,' Murtaza adds. 'It's about growing smarter, not just harder.' A farm without pesticides Walk through a UNS facility or Pure Harvest greenhouse, and you'll notice something odd: no chemicals. Zero. Not even the so-called 'safe' ones. For both companies, removing pesticides isn't just a marketing angle — it's a pillar of their sustainability ethos. 'We operate like we're guarding a castle,' says Sky Kurtz, CEO and Founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms. 'Our climate-controlled, closed-loop system keeps pests out. And if something does get in, we don't reach for chemicals — we bring in beneficial insects or other natural interventions.' Pure Harvest leans into integrated pest management (IPM), a method that prioritizes balance over eradication. In short, it's about working with nature rather than against it. UNS, meanwhile, takes a similarly holistic route. 'It's about early detection, sanitation, and rotating crops regularly,' says Murtaza. 'When you have full control over your growing environment, you don't need to rely on chemicals. And that's better for the planet — and for people.' Both companies back their methods with international certifications, like HACCP and ISO 22000:2018, reassuring consumers that 'chemical-free' doesn't mean 'risky.' In fact, it means the opposite. Farms in malls, not fields There's something captivating about watching lettuce grow in the middle of a luxury mall or seeing a vertical herb garden inside a five-star hotel. It's not just for show. For UNS, these collaborations are part of a larger mission: making farming visible, accessible, and even stylish. 'When we bring vertical farms into public spaces, it changes the way people think about agriculture,' Murtaza explains. 'It's not something distant or industrial — it's fresh, it's here, it's part of your daily life.' The company's green installations — whether on a mall wall or in a restaurant lobby — spark conversations and curiosity. And that's exactly the point. Pure Harvest takes a slightly different route. Rather than public installations, they connect with consumers through transparency. 'We use QR codes on our packaging so people can trace exactly where and how their food was grown,' says Kurtz. 'We share videos, behind-the-scenes farm content, and speak openly about our practices. Because people care — and they're asking smarter questions.' Conscious consumers are here to stay And those smarter questions are reshaping the market. In recent years, there's been a clear shift in the UAE's grocery habits, especially among millennials and Gen Z. No longer content with labels like 'organic' or 'fresh,' these buyers want to know the full story behind their food. 'Consumers are now willing to pay a bit more for food that's not only good for them but good for the planet,' Kurtz says. 'There's a real hunger — pun intended — for climate-conscious, zero-mile produce.' According to him, tomatoes, leafy greens, and strawberries are leading the demand for clean, local, pesticide-free food. These are everyday staples — proof that sustainability isn't just for specialty items anymore. 'We're not just selling produce,' Kurtz adds. 'We're selling trust.' Tech at the root At the heart of this movement is technology. From moisture sensors to automated nutrient dosing systems, both UNS and Pure Harvest rely heavily on smart tools to keep their farms efficient and scalable. 'Automation reduces human error and ensures consistency,' Kurtz says. 'But more importantly, it helps us grow the same quality of produce year-round, even in the brutal heat of August.' IoT systems monitor everything — light levels, humidity, nutrient balance, CO2 levels — and make minute adjustments in real time. This allows farms to optimise every input while producing 10–15 times more food per square metre than conventional farms. Kurtz calls this approach 'veridical farming'— not just vertical, but truthful. 'We don't make vague claims,' he says. 'We show the numbers. That's what our customers, our partners, and our investors want.' A national priority The UAE isn't just watching from the sidelines — it's actively supporting this new wave of agriculture. With food security ranked as a top national priority, and a goal to reduce dependence on imports, innovations in vertical and hydroponic farming fit neatly into the government's broader vision. Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is seen as a long-term solution to climate stress, population growth, and unpredictable global food supply chains. And in many ways, companies like UNS and Pure Harvest aren't just riding that wave — they're helping shape it. The future is up As urban populations swell, farmland shrinks, and climate concerns intensify, the question is no longer if vertical farming is the answer—but how fast it can scale to meet growing demand. In the UAE, it's not just a futuristic experiment. It's happening now, behind glass walls, under LED lights, and in places no one expected—shopping malls, hotel rooftops, even within logistics hubs. These farms don't just grow food—they grow resilience. They bring agriculture closer to the plate, cut the carbon miles, and give consumers confidence in what they're eating. They're a quiet but powerful rebuttal to the belief that sustainable food production isn't possible in arid, resource-scarce regions. For pioneers like Pure Harvest and UNS Farms, the work is far from done. Their eyes are firmly set on the next phase: scaling up, improving affordability, expanding crop diversity, and helping the region move one step closer to food independence. But beyond the metrics and machinery, there's something profoundly human about this shift. It's about reconnecting with what we eat, about feeding growing cities without depleting the planet—and doing it with intention, intelligence, and integrity. So, the next time you're biting into a crisp local salad in the UAE, consider this: it may have never touched soil, never seen a pesticide, and never traveled more than a few kilometers. And yet, it may just be the most grounded thing on your plate. The future of food isn't out in the fields anymore. It's growing up. What's Growing in the UAE's High-Tech Farms No soil? No problem. Crisp greens and juicy tomatoes grow vertically — in towers, not fields. Soil's out, science is in. 90% less water, 100% more wow Hydroponics and closed-loop systems mean each drop is reused. It's farming tailor-made for the desert. Pesticide-free, planet-friendly No sprays, no chemicals. Just clean produce grown in sealed, climate-controlled environments. Farming without sunlight LEDs mimic daylight so precisely, plants don't miss the sun — and they thrive indoors, 24/7. Lettuce in the lobby? Yes, please. UNS puts vertical farms in malls and hotels. It's fresh, flashy, and fabulously futuristic. QR codes tell all Scan your salad — Pure Harvest lets you trace every tomato to its tech-savvy roots. Farming on auto-pilot AI, sensors, and smart climate tools run the show — ensuring perfect crops every single day. No bugs, no drama Natural pest control and integrated systems mean no creepy crawlies — and no harsh fixes. Certified clean HACCP, ISO, and Global GAP certifications mean safe food that's as trustworthy as it is tasty. Rooted in national strategy The UAE is investing big in smart farms to feed its future — no imports, just innovation.
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Gulf Today
Emirates SkyCargo launches Aerospace & Engineering vertical
Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world's largest international airline, has launched Aircraft Engines, a fit-for-purpose solution dedicated to the carriage of aviation's most critical and high-value parts. The product sits under a new vertical, Aerospace and Engineering, which meticulously balances the highest level of expertise with speed and efficiency. Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, said, 'Moving highly specialised items is always an exciting challenge, and, having significantly invested in building world-class infrastructure across our network, it's a challenge that we are ready to meet. Harnessing the technical expertise of our team, our proprietary and innovative technology and fit-for-purpose infrastructure, we liaised closely with various stakeholders to develop Aircraft Engines and a dedicated product vertical, to ensure we were able to cater to such valuable and technical cargo at every touchpoint.' Aircraft engines are a feat of modern engineering. Highly technical and requiring specialist and focused handling end-to-end, they are transported for maintenance, repair and replacement, and often need to move as quickly as possible. Working in close coordination with external consultants including manufacturers and operators, Emirates SkyCargo's team of in-house experts optimised existing processes to create a dedicated solution for the global movement of engines: Aircraft Engines. Every step in of the process is geared towards providing customers with peace of mind that their critical shipment will be handled correctly. Certified loadmasters supervise the loading, securing and unloading of engines, managing the transfer end-to-end with specialised handling techniques, checklists, and equipment such as shock absorbing transport dollies for extra care. Emirates control tower team monitors every shipment making sure it's delivered as promised, while additional track and trace devices can be added to the booking for real time updates throughout the entire journey. Understanding that speed is mission-critical, Aircraft Engines shipments carry the highest loading priority, ensuring transportation is handled quickly and efficiently to minimise ground time of its customers' aircraft operations. Likewise, a team of experts, located in key cities across the airline's vast global network, are available to provide consultation services and support, via a dedicated hotline and email address, providing direct and efficient communication, resulting in significantly faster responses to queries. In addition to the highest level of end-to-end protection, paired with competitive connection times and multiple frequencies across the airline's vast global network, Emirates SkyCargo has the capability to swiftly confirm freighter re-routing, providing unmatched delivery times. By introducing Aerospace and Engineering, Emirates SkyCargo aims to provide tailored logistics and transport solutions to a sector that demands high precision, specialised handling, and speed. The vertical is designed for a targeted customer base in aviation, engineering, defence and space, such as commercial aviation companies, aircraft manufacturers and parts suppliers transporting components and engines; manufacturers producing satellites and other space technology; engineers leading the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge technologies in propulsion, avionics and materials science; and finally, governments requiring ultimate security for specialised shipments. In addition to Aircraft Engines, the vertical includes Emirates AOG (Aircraft on Ground) which expedites time-critical aircraft parts. Emirates SkyCargo already moves multiple shipments of aircraft parts every day, and has recently enhanced this offering, introducing new and even more distinctive 'Must Go' bags stamped with 'CARGO' to ensure the highest level of speed and service for global customers. Additional subcategories under Aerospace and Engineering are already in development, to ensure Emirates SkyCargo offers customers a comprehensive suite of services. Emirates SkyCargo is already a first-choice carrier for aircraft engines, averaging hundreds of shipments every year, across its vast global network. The airline has also been involved in historic aerospace movements, including the KhalifaSat, the first satellite developed and built by Emirati engineers in the UAE at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which flew from Dubai to South Korea. Most recently, Emirates SkyCargo moved nanosatellites from Paris to Auckland, before they were launched into orbit to provide global Internet of Things connectivity. This experience has been instrumental in the development of the dedicated product and vertical. WAM
Hi Dubai
4 days ago
- Hi Dubai
Emirates SkyCargo Launches Aircraft Engines Solution Under New Aerospace and Engineering Vertical
Emirates SkyCargo has unveiled Aircraft Engines, a specialized logistics solution tailored for transporting aviation's most critical and high-value components. Launched under its new Aerospace and Engineering vertical, the product is designed to deliver end-to-end precision, speed, and care in the global movement of aircraft engines. The initiative is part of Emirates SkyCargo's continued investment in infrastructure and innovation to support the aerospace sector. 'Moving highly specialized items is always an exciting challenge,' said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President. 'With dedicated expertise, technology, and infrastructure, we've created a fit-for-purpose solution to ensure aircraft engines are handled with the utmost precision.' Aircraft engines, often shipped for urgent repair or replacement, require specialist handling and minimal ground time. Emirates SkyCargo's certified loadmasters oversee every step of the process—loading, securing, and unloading—using advanced equipment like shock-absorbing transport dollies. Each shipment is closely monitored by a control tower team, with real-time tracking options available for added visibility. Shipments under Aircraft Engines are prioritized for the fastest possible transit, with Emirates' global network enabling swift freighter re-routing when needed. Customers also benefit from dedicated support teams in key cities and direct communication channels for rapid assistance. The Aerospace and Engineering vertical also includes Emirates AOG, which fast-tracks time-critical parts. Emirates SkyCargo already handles hundreds of engine shipments annually and has supported high-profile aerospace projects, including KhalifaSat and global nanosatellite launches. With additional subcategories in development, Emirates SkyCargo aims to offer a full suite of services to aviation, defence, and space clients—positioning itself as a trusted partner in the world's most demanding logistics environments. News Source: Dubai Media Office
