EIAST’s space program is striving to make the UAE an internationally recognized hub for pioneering space systems and for innovative services and applications based on those space systems.

EIAST space program includes three main themes:

• Earth Observation
• Satellite Navigation
• Satellite Communications

Earth Observation:

Earth observation was the starting point of EIAST’s space program and it kicked off with DubaiSat-1, its catalyst satellite project, consisted of three phases set over a three-year period. The satellite has been specifically designed and launched to support the infrastructural development in the UAE and the region. It does so by providing information which is essential to the decision making process of urban and rural planning, transport, utilities, mapping, and towards developing environmental applications.

A major goal of the project was UAE national skills development, along with the development of DubaiSat-1. A team of UAE nationals was sent to South Korea to participate in all phases of the project. After the successful launch of Dubaisat-1, the development team is now focused on DubaiSat-2. The participation of the UAE engineers, who are still working in South Korea, has increased by 100 per cent from the DubaiSat-1 project and it is hoped that this will take EIAST to the next level in satellite development.

This participation termed “Knowhow and Technology Transfer Program” included theoretical and practical training, participation in the satellite design, development and manufacturing process as well as a leading role in the ground station and launching segments of the project. The knowledge and experience gained from the project is the real asset for the UAE.

The Earth observation aspect also includes the processing and extraction of data from the images for use in various applications.

Satellite Navigation:

EIAST is working closely with international organizations in the field of satellite navigation.

EIAST is an active member of the ICG (International Committee for Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and through its membership in the ICG, EIAST is working with all the Satellite Navigation providers and vendors to find interoperability between all systems.

EIAST has signed several governmental level agreements with Europe and Russia to cooperate in the fields of navigation.

Satellite Communication:

EIAST intends to explore this important field of satellite technology in the near future.