The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the success of the first locally-built satellite by Emirati engineers, KhalifaSat, in passing the Solar Panel Deployment test — the test was conducted after the completion of several installation and assembly tests for the satellite's system and different engineering parts.
Artistic rendition of KhalifaSat.
KhalifaSat’s success in the Solar Panel Deployment test confirms the satellite full capability of conducting the entire operations smartly after its launch into space in 2018, and reaching its orbit after separation from the rocket. The test also proved that KhalifaSat’s solar panels will not open during the launch phase while inside the rocket.
Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of MBRSC, reported that achieving this important step in manufacturing KhalifaSat reflects the success of the organization's strategy in localizing satellites manufacturing industry. The country has established world-class infrastructure, which enabled the manufacture of the satellite as well as the ability to carry out the necessary tests at the Space Technologies Laboratories at the Center. MBRSC looks forward to successfully accomplish all of the coming phases, ensuring that the satellite will be to launch next year. KhalifaSat puts the satellites manufacturing industry in the UAE in an international competitive position.
Eng. Amer Al Sayegh, KhalifaSat Project Manager, at MBRSC explained that KhalifaSat’s success in opening the solar panels at this phase in the manufacturing process shows the efficient, overall operations of the satellite's engineering, electrical and mechanical aspects. KhalifaSat has undergone a number of separate sub-tests for all the mechanical and electronic systems in addition to its software. These tests were followed by other tests to ensure the consist operations of all its systems and parts. Among the tests that KhalifaSat has successfully passed at MBRSC Space Technologies Laboratories were the sun sensors test, Earth magnetic field sensors test, antenna movement and orientation to Earth test, etc. After KhalifaSat’s separation from the rocket, the satellite will automatically open the solar panels in direct position to the sun.
