Al ain: The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has announced the completion of preparations for launching the Arab satellite "813" in the last quarter of this year. Developed by the university's National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC), the project involved collaboration with over 30 engineers from the centre and trained engineers from other Arab nations.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this initiative is part of an educational and research programme aimed at advancing space science, innovation, and applied research. The satellite, which weighs approximately 200 kilograms, is named "813" after the year the House of Wisdom was founded in Baghdad. It is set to enter a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550-650 kilometers for advanced earth observation.
The satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral imaging payload capable of capturing over 200 spectral bands, enabling detailed environmental analysis. It also features advanced S-band and X-band communication systems. A ground station has been established by the university in Al Ain to process and convert the satellite's data into maps and scientific resources for researchers and students.
The project is expected to support applied research in various fields, including agriculture, resource management, and environmental monitoring through the "HyperX" platform.