The best images taken by UAE’s KhalifaSat, the first Emirati satellite

KhalifaSat has taken well over 7,000 images and has orbited earth over 5,000 times

Josh Corder

October 30, 2019

30October2019

Josh Corder

The UAE’s first ever satellite was fired into space just over one year ago. In celebration, we’re going over some of the most jaw-dropping images taken from space.

On Tuesday, October 29 KhalifaSat turned one year old. The pioneering satellite was the first ever 100% Emirati developed satellite in the world and has since captured thousands of images to provide information on the world’s most pressing issues and development demands.

The satellite, which orbits around 580-620 kilometres above the earth, has already in its lifetime sent over 355 terabytes of data to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Science Centre back on earth. These 7,250 hi-res images are used for environmental monitoring, urban planning, climate change detection, ship detection, disaster relief management and mapping on an international scale.

WAM reports Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the MBRSC, said, "Today marks one year since the launch of KhalifaSat, the first satellite developed 100 percent in the UAE by a team of highly qualified Emirati engineers. After the outstanding performance, images and analysis it has provided, we celebrate the culmination of one of the UAE’s major achievements. This success proves that our youth can enjoy more achievements, reflecting the aspirations of our wise leadership."

Amer Al Ghafri, Director of Space Systems Development Department and KhalifaSat Project Manager, said, "One year after its launch, KhalifaSat is performing very well. It is still ahead of other satellites in the region, in monitoring and analysis. KhalifaSat will be able to capture more images in the next few years."

KhalifaSat has taken fantastic images across the globe, including of course the UAE and surronding areas. The first ever photo taken by KhalifaSat was actually a perfect image of the Palm Jumeirah right here in Dubai. You can look at this image, along with other amazing ones below:

Taj Mahal, India