Bahrain-UAE nanosatellite to fly on Falcon9 next month
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Nanosatellite Light-1, jointly developed by Bahrain and UAE, will hitch a ride on the Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX to the International Space Station next month.
The development emerged during a ministerial-level meeting of Bahrain and UAE held at the Dubai Airshow 2021. Leading the talks were Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency and Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Communications and Chairman of the National Space Science Agency, Bahrain.
Built and designed in collaboration between Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, NSSA and UAE space agency, the nanosatellite for monitoring and studying terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) will get deployed onboard the Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX.
It will travel to the International Space Station in December 2021. “It was a pleasure speaking to Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri today to discuss the latest progress on our joint nanosatellite Light-1 project as well explore ways to the growth of our respective space industries,” said Kamal Ahmed following the meeting.
“Space, science and technology have a profound impact on our daily lives, and both nations are determined to enhance collaboration and leverage the social and economic benefits these knowledge-based industries offer,” he added.
“We are focused on supporting and strengthening the deep, special and longstanding ties between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates,” the minister stressed.
The minister also signed a letter of intent regarding the participation of the UAE Space Agency in the upcoming Bahrain International Airshow next year.
“The UAE Space Agency gives special importance in strengthening constructive cooperation and exchanging experiences and knowledge with the National Space Science Agency in Bahrain,” said Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri.
The ministers also reviewed developments in the previously signed memorandum of understandings. Kamal Ahmed hailed the role of the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research in the training of members from the National Space Science Agency of Bahrain. “It has served to upskill them on space technologies and involve them in the implementation of several projects,” the minister said.
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