UAE launches satellite to help environmental protection work

The United Arab Emirates University has successfully launched a satellite, named SEO, to aid environmental protection efforts. The satellite was sent into orbit on Sunday from a carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in China, as reported by the state news agency Wam on Monday. The university's National Space and Science Technology Centre announced the launch.

The SEO satellite will play a crucial role in the centre's work on developing national space projects and supporting the UAE's ambitions in science, technology, and innovation. The mission is aimed at facilitating research and technology related to sustainability and future development by providing vital data for environmental protection, natural resource management, planning, and decision-making.

Salem Al Qubaisi, the director general of the UAE Space Agency, stated that the launch aligns with the UAE's vision and National Space Strategy, aiming to enhance the country's position among global leaders in the sector and expand the use of advanced science and technology for sustainable development and the knowledge economy. The mission also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between national and academic institutions in building an advanced space ecosystem and developing Emirati capabilities.

Dr Nabil Mohammed Al Bastaki, the director of the National Space and Science Technology Centre, mentioned that the satellite project will offer researchers and engineers valuable hands-on experience in satellite design, development, and operations. The SEO project, a collaborative effort with Chinese partners, involves Emirati engineers, researchers, and students at every stage of the satellite's development.