Launching of the “HCT-SAT1” satellite for “Earth observation” this January

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announced the launch of the HCT-SAT1 Earth observation satellite this January, which is the first satellite designed by students of the Higher Colleges of Technology, in a historic step that embodies excellence and creativity in the education sector.

The Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Salem Humaid Al Marri, said in statements on the centre’s official website that the launch of the “HCT-SAT1” satellite coincides with the launch of the “Mohammed bin Zayed Sat” satellite, adding: “The (Center) Mohammed bin Rashid Space Agency designed the satellite (HCT-SAT1) in cooperation with the Higher Colleges of Technology, which is an achievement that reflects our ambitious strategy to promote scientific innovation and empower Emirati youth to be part of this advanced industry.”

Al Marri explained that “HCT-SAT1” is distinguished by being a nanometer satellite dedicated to observing the Earth, with dimensions of (10 x 10 x 11.35 centimetres), and the satellite is characterized by the presence of a camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels, while it will be launched in a low orbit ranging between 500 and 600 kilometers.

He stressed the center’s commitment to promoting a culture of innovation and excellence, especially among young people who are considered future pioneers in the space sector in the UAE, pointing out that the work on “HCT-SAT1” reflects the importance of developing education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and this is demonstrated through the participation of students from colleges of technology. The Supreme Council is developing a satellite, which contributes to inspiring a new generation capable of achieving the country’s ambitious goals in the field of space exploration.

For his part, Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology Complex, Dr. Faisal Al-Ayyan, expressed his happiness in cooperating with the “Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center” in the project to develop the “HCT-SAT1” satellite, which represents the result of a partnership between the two sides with the aim of empowering students with space sciences and understanding The importance of its research in developing humanity and increasing their awareness of the UAE’s efforts and achievements in the field of space exploration, so that they can be part of the country’s vision and ambitions to achieve leadership in this vital sector. He added that this project is an affirmation of the colleges’ strategy aimed at promoting applied education that enables students with future skills and enhances their career opportunities in vital sectors.

In addition, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center explained, through its official pages on social media, that 34 students from the Higher Colleges of Technology contributed to its implementation, and the number of faculty members who participated in the project reached nine individuals, pointing out that the implementation of the project was Under the supervision of a team of experts at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

The students of the Higher Colleges of Technology began their journey in implementing the project, on the fourth of last March, starting from the assembly and integration processes to the rigorous testing of the satellite, in addition to supervising the launch of the payload and ensuring the smooth provision of all basic communications services, then updating the program and final configuration.

The center’s partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology includes a comprehensive educational experience, by empowering students and faculty members through training, and providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the “CubeSat” curriculum, which represents an important step in integrating space technology into the educational sector, with the aim of enhancing the UAE’s position in the field. Space exploration and science. The cooperation between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the Higher Colleges of Technology represents an important strategic step towards integrating space technology into the curriculum, which provides students with unparalleled opportunities to work in the space sector, and paves the way for them to be essential contributors to enhancing the space sector’s growing journey in the world. UAE.

. 34 students from the Higher Colleges of Technology, and 9 faculty members, participated in the project.