DubaiSat-1 reaches launch pad in Kazakhstan

 
The first remote sensing satellite developed by a UAE entity - the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology (EIAST) has been shipped from its development base in South Korea to the launch pad in Baikonour in Kazakhstan. DubaiSat-1 is a stepping stone in the UAE's attempt to create a sound infrastructure that enables the collection of space and earth observation data to power the comprehensive development of the nation. The satellite highlights the commitment of EIAST to create a knowledge based economy by leveraging the advances in satellite technology.The launch of DubaiSat-1 consists of three segments; space, ground and actual launch. The ground segment comprises mission control station, image receiving and processing station, and antenna and RF subsystem.

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RISAT and ANUSAT satellite placed in orbit

RazakSAT to be launched on April 21

DMCii, UK, launches free satellite imaging initiative

22/12/2008 UK: Satellite imaging provider DMCii has announced that it will provide free DMC constellation satellite imagery for scientists to support global environmental monitoring projects.

Scientists are invited to compete for the opportunity to use the DMC multi-spectral data in their research projects. Applications will be judged on their contribution to international environmental research by an international panel of scientists chaired by Professor Alan O’Neil from the National Centre for Earth Observation. DMC constellation data will be awarded to 5 UK and 5 Spanish science projects. The provision of data will be coordinated by DMCii in the UK and Spanish company Deimos Imaging in Spain which will soon join the DMC with its new satellite DEIMOS-1.

Dave Hodgson, Managing Director DMCii commented, “We feel that this is a unique and valuable contribution to the science community, and look forward to supporting some deserving scientific research that will contribute to our knowledge of the Earth and our impact on its resources.”

Satellite imaging is a powerful tool for monitoring land use. It offers a valuable “eye in space” for monitoring and recording environmental change on a global basis. DMCii has previously provided free data to the science community, from which scientists have produced excellent results which include monitoring the burning of peatlands in Indonesia.

The DMC constellation of 5 satellites work together to image large areas of the Earth. Because several satellites and their respective owners (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey, UK) cooperate together, the constellation can image a given geographical location frequently to identify changes or make the most of cloud-free periods. This unique combination makes the constellation highly effective for monitoring land use.


Source : http://www.ballard.co.uk

Israel plans launch of nano-satellites as low cost alternative to GPS satellites

Israel plans to launch its first nano-satellite next year to demonstrate its feasibility at a fraction of the cost of standard GPS satellites. The Israel Nanosatellite Association intends to launch the first of two nano-satellites in mid-2009 from India. 

The association said the launches, planned for between July and September, would demonstrate the feasibility of the platforms. "This will be a proof-of-concept for new Israeli satellite technologies," INSA director Raz Tamir said.

Tamir, also manager of the new nano-satellite department of the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, said the micro-platforms could replace standard satellites in space. He said the satellites, meant to be designed and assembled within a year, could weigh up to 10 kilograms and cheap to produce. 


Source : http://www.worldtribune.com

UAE poised to get its first dedicated eye in the sky

UAE's first remote sensing/Earth Observation satellite, is all set to launch, a senior official said on Sunday. 

"The UAE's first earth observation satellite, developed by South Korea's SatrecI with in-depth participation of UAE engineers from the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) and is "space ready" and will be launch-ed shortly, Salem Humaid Al Merri, acting project manager of DubaiSat 1 Programme told Gulf News on Sunday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Global Space Technology Forum, opened by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. 

Al Merri explained that the satellite was completed last July and is on standby, waiting for launch aboard a Russian rocket through the Moscow-based International Space Company (ISC) Kosmotras, "providing the UAE with its first dedicated eye in the sky." 
Progress
"While DubaiSat-1 awaits its launch into space, its development team is already working on finalising designs for DubaiSat-2, which will be launched within five years and will continue with its plans to create the UAE's first constellation of Satellites with growing UAE's technical participation."

Al Merri said the design concept of DubaiSat-2 is being laid down and strategic partners for its construction are being selected, to make it the top of its class by the time of its planned launch in 2013.

Established by a Dubai Government decree in 2006 to promote the country's move to develop a knowledge-based economy, EIAST continues to be a springboard for promoting sustainable development and enhancing econ-omic growth in the Emirates and beyond by inspiring scientific innovation and fostering technological advancement.

Al Merri said developing a base of UAE scientists and engineers is a crucial first step in becoming a regional and global leader in the fields of advanced science and technology. 

He added that the satellite will contribute in developing infrastructure by providing data that help decision makers in many areas, including planning service projects, rural and urban projects, provision of accurate maps, monitoring of pollution and discovery of oil slicks, crisis management, scientific researches and space sciences. 

Professor Anwar S. Dawood, former EIAST dean of scientific and technological affairs and member of the board of directors, told Gulf News the UAE should have a federal space agency that will host the development of space strategic plan for the country, and coordinate different space activities as related to satellites, communications, earth observation and navigation.

"The UAE is in a position to take a lead in the Gulf and the Middle East in space technology, to fill a huge market demand for a variety of civil and military applications," he said.

Innovation: Technology a priority
The UAE is strongly committed to harnessing the benefits of technology, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said on Sunday. 

"Our capital city, Abu Dhabi, is emerging as a major centre for aviation and aerospace innovation and industry. President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has identified innovation as a fundamental aspect of our national effort. And we have created an economic environment that supports business initiatives and entrepreneurship," the minister said. 

Source : http://www.gulfnews.com/ 

Iran launch of Omid successful

 

Iran announced Sunday that it launched a satellite into space earlier in the day, the country's first domestically made.

The satellite, Omid (hope), was launched Sunday by using Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, the armed forces said in a statement, quoted by the official IRNA news agency.

The Omid Satellite which was successfully fired on the birth anniversary of the last Imam (prophet) of Shiites, Hazrat Mahdi (who is believed to reappear at the end of the world) illustrated the auspicious name of the Imam in the space, IRNA said. 

According to Iran's English-language Press TV satellite channel, the domestically manufactured Omid Satellite will pass over the country six times a day.

The launch of Safir rocket aimed to test remote sensing, satellite telemetry, and geographic information system (GIS) technology as well as remote and ground station data processing, Press TV said.

Another news agency Fars quoted government spokesman Gholam- Hossein Elham as saying that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was at the launch of the communications satellite from Iran's space station.

In February, Iran said it has prepared for the satellite launch by sending a probe into space of a rocket on the mission.

Ahmadinejad announced in his press interview in Istanbul Friday that Iran would in near future launch its first domestic satellite to the space.

Iran, embroiled in a standoff with the West over its disputed nuclear ambitions, has pursued a space program for several years, according to media reports. 

Source : http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/

ISRO postpones Chandrayaan I until mid-October

India - The launch of India's first unmanned mission to the Moon has been postponed until the middle of October, the head of the Indian space program has said. 

The launch of the Chandrayaan I lunar orbiter by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was originally planned for September 19 but scientists have yet to conduct the thermo-vacuum testing of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with the orbiter on board.

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IIT Kanpur proposes micro satellite to ISRO

India - IIT Kanpur has submitted a proposal to the Indian Space Research Organisation, relating to design and development of a micro satellite. 

The micro satellite, weighing around seven kg, can be used as part of disaster management and in cartography, Director IIT Kanpur S G Dhande, said on the sidelines of a conference on Smart materials, structures and systems. 

The project was expected to require a funding of around Rs five to seven crore, he said, adding the proposal on the subject has been submitted to ISRO. 

Highlighting other applications of micro and smart systems, he said currently a railway project was on to test the application of micro and smart system to track down the location of a train en route to its destination. 

The system fitted over the train engine could send data which could be displayed on a screen locating the train's current position on the route. 

The screen could be displayed in coaches for passengers to be updated on their travel. 
The device could also help the driver get information on all the trains travelling on that route, he said. 

Speaking during the inauguration of the conference, G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, Isro said that smart materials and technology held huge potential in terms of application. 

Citing an example, he said use of smart systems in cars could help a driver gain information on the proximity of other vehicles and automatically apply brakes. 

Source : http://www.business-standard.com/

Wireless tracking system for fishing vessels

Amid protests by Tamil Nadu fishermen complaining of harassment from Sri Lankan Navy in Palk Straits, the state government has okayed plans to fit wireless tracking systems to fishing vessels to enable authorities to respond to distress calls. 

Said to be the first of its kind in India, the radio network will be fitted on shipping vessels in Ramanathapuram district as a pilot project, costing Rs 7.7 crore. The sanction came in the midst of agitation by the fishermen in the district protesting against recent detention of 1,000 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.

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ISRO's nano satellites impress global clients

Out of the 10 satellites that ISRO successfully launched on Monday, eight are nano satellites designed by students in foreign universities. ISRO's gesture to piggyback has won the hearts of the student community in many western countries. Eight of their nano satellites launched by ISRO are functioning well. These are low-priced satellites designed by university students in Canada, Japan, Germany, Holland and Denmark. They say India's space capability impressed them and ISRO took only five hours to sign the deal. ''We have been waiting for quite sometime for this moment in all our countries,'' said Freddy M Pranajaya, University of Toronto.''With this spacecraft we will be able to search and rescue ships in distress and also alert ships around to help them,'' said George Best, Com Dev Ltd, Canada.The launch has come as a big relief for this team from Japan. Two years ago, their dream was shattered when the Russian rocket carrying their satellite to space failed in its mission.''Today, we are very happy. We appreciate ISRO's support,'' said Yasuyuki Miyazaki, Nihon University. India's launch of ten satellites in one go was keenly watched by customers in five countries and they are happy that they made the right choice.

source:http://www.ndtv.com