'To More Achievements': UAE Astronauts Hail Successful Launch Of Etihad-SAT

The UAE's tryst with space hurtled into another orbit on Saturday, March 15 after the country successfully launched the Etihad-SAT satellite.

The satellite, weighing 220kg, was launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

It was the country's second satellite to go into orbit this year after MBZ-SAT was thrust into the galaxy on January 14.

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And while it was another proud moment for the country which is making rapid strides in the field of space exploration, none could have been more happier and filled with pride than UAE's astronauts.

Hazzaa AlMansoori, UAE's first astronaut to go to space, wished the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) all the best for the next phase following the successful launch.

"Etihad-SAT, a new UAE satellite, has launched successfully into orbit. Wishing the MBRSC team all the best in the upcoming phases of the mission, which will provide Earth observation data 24/7 in all weather conditions," 41-year-old AlMansoori, who had embarked on the country's first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, posted on X.

Sultan AlNeyadi, UAE's Minister of State for Youth Affairs and the second astronaut from the UAE to space in 2023, hailed it as a "new success."

"Congratulations to our colleagues at MBRSC on the successful launch of Etihad-SAT, the Centre's first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. A new success for the UAE space sector, providing data that supports global development," AlNeyadi, who is the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk, said in a post on X.

Nora AlMatrooshi, the first female astronaut from the UAE, said the new satellite will help different sectors like agriculture and disaster management.

"Congratulations on the launch of Etihad-SAT, MBRSC's Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. A strategic mission that will serve different sectors including agriculture, maritime navigation and disaster management," Al Matrooshi, who graduated from the NASA Astronaut Candidate Class training programme in 2024, posted on X.

Mohammad AlMulla, Al Matrooshi's teammate in the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, was thrilled and said there is more to come.

"Proud of the success achieved by our colleagues at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre with the launch of the EtihadSat radar satellite mission. To more achievements," Al Mulla, who at 19, had become the youngest pilot in Dubai Police, said on X.

Meanwhile, Salem AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, said on X: "Today, we successfully launched the EtihadSat radar satellite, which we developed in a strategic partnership with South Korea's Satrek Initiative. EtihadSat will provide us with the ability to monitor the Earth day and night, and in all weather conditions, providing valuable data for various sectors. I congratulate my colleagues at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for their efforts. Today marks the beginning of an important phase in the journey of our satellites and the data they provide."

And there was reason for more cheer as Bahrain successfully launched Al Munther, the country's first domestically designed and built satellite. The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, according to the official Bahrain News Agency.

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