DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 21 Aug. 2014. The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) is constructing its primary satellite manufacturing facility, which includes a clean room and electrical and mechanical labs. This facility marks the first phase of a larger development dedicated to satellite manufacturing; the whole project is expected to be completed within two years.
After the facility is completed and equipped, Emiratis staff will comlete the last phase of KhalifaSat in roughly 18 months. The facility is designed according to the highest satellite manufacturing global standards and specifications, is equipped with cooling and ventilation systems, and is isolated from external factors, such as dust and humidity, officials say.
EIAST is on schedule, according to H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of EIAST. “Therefore, we will move as soon as possible from South Korea to Dubai to complete the development of Khalifa Sat. In South Korea, we have a team of Emirati engineers working on completing the first phase of the project in collaboration with Satrec Initiative, which is providing technical advice when necessary.
“Within a very short period of time, we have made a lot of achievements such as the successful launch of DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2 into space in addition to the launch of KhalifaSat project. Today, we are building facilities for the manufacture of satellites in the country, which is a real experiment for us and a big challenge for our ability to develop high level infrastructure for space sciences, to develop local human resources and enhance their technical innovation.
“We look forward to many more achievements to come in order to improve social and economic development in the UAE while realizing the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” concludes the director general.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development, satellite manufacturing and systems development, space imaging, and ground station services and support for other satellites.
