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Contents
- Objectives national importance
- Technical insights
- KhalifaSat camera system KHCS
- Critical design review
- Launch window
- Ground control
- Team
- References
KhalifaSat is a remote sensing Earth observation satellite that is being manufactured in the United Arab Emirates at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). It is the first satellite to be built in the clean rooms of the Dubai government’s space science and research facility and the first to be developed entirely by a team of Emirati engineers.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is a Dubai government based space centre working on the National Space programme. His Excellency Yousuf Al Shaibani is the Director General of MBRSC and he oversees all the projects and programmes. MBRSC already has two Earth observation satellites in orbit, DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2, which were built in partnership with Satrec Initiative, a South Korean satellite manufacturer With the knowledge gained through this co-operation, MBRSC engineers are now designing and developing KhalifaSat in the UAE without assistance.
The project was officially announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ruler of Dubai, in December 2013 The manufacture of KhalifaSat began in South Korea at Satrec Initiative’s facilities. A team of Emirati engineers used the facilities there while the Advanced Technology Laboratories at MBRSC were under construction. Once the labs were built, the project was moved to MBRSC where every aspect of its development has continued
Objectives & national importance
KhalifaSat will provide high-resolution imagery of Earth to be used for various purposes, including urban planning, change monitoring, area classification, monitoring environmental change and aiding relief efforts for natural disasters The satellite imagery from KhalifaSat will be provided to local government entities and a number of commercial services both locally and internationally.
The manufacture of KhalifaSat at MBRSC also aims to help diversify career paths for young Emiratis, along with creating a legacy for the satellite industry in UAE
Technical insights
KhalifaSat is hexagonal in shape with four deployable solar panels. The satellite bus comprises two decks and also an upper sun shield, which will protect the camera from temperature fluctuations and radiation. The solar panels are attached to the sides of the satellite bus structure, the frame of which is manufactured from longerons and rails.
The satellite shell is just under two metres in height and less than 1.5 metres in diameter. The total mass of the spacecraft is estimated to be around 330 kg. The most sensitive component in the satellite is its Camera System (KHCS). This will be covered with a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sun shield to protect it against harmful radiation.
KhalifaSat contains an advanced positioning technique that allows the capture of a large number of 3D images at once with greater accuracy and quick response.
KhalifaSat camera system (KHCS)
The primary payload on the satellite is the KhalifaSat Camera System, which is compact and lightweight. It includes three main subsystems: the Electro-Optical Subsystem (EOS), the Image Transmission Unit (ITU) and the Solid State Recorder (SSR).
The pushbroom camera has a 0.7m Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) for panchromatic imagery and 2.98m GSD in four multi-spectral bands. The multi-spectral capabilities of KhalifaSat include four channels in both the visible and near infrared spectral ranges (Red, Green, Blue, and NIR) with a radiometric resolution of 10 bits.
The camera system also includes a Korsch telescope, comprising a three-mirror configuration that provides the widest possible field of view and reduces optical irregularities.
Critical design review
In January 2016, MBRSC announced that the final design completion of the engineering model of KhalifaSat had passed the Critical Design Review (CDR). This also included the approval of the proposed software and systems that will be part of the satellite. Following the successful CDR the team is now working on KhalifaSat’s flight model
Launch window
MBRSC has an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) for the launch of KhalifaSat to take place in Japan. The launch vehicle will be the H-IIA rocket and is scheduled to launch in 2018, before placing KhalifaSat into a Low Earth Orbit
Ground control
The MBRSC ground station in Dubai, UAE, will support KhalifaSat and its functions from Earth. The ground system includes three main subsystems: the Antenna and Radio Frequency (RF) subsystem, Mission Control Station (MCS), and Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS).
The main function of the Antenna & RF subsystem is to transmit imaging orders, give commands to the satellite, receive information and download images through the X-band feed. The MCS plans and operates the entire mission. This includes the configuration and scheduling of resources for both space and ground elements.
The IRPS provides real-time receiving and processing of downlink data. It also generates standard image products and catalogues, manages archives, and interfaces with client IRPS
Team
The KhalifaSat team is made up entirely of United Arab Emirates nationals. This is the first time a satellite project has been designed and developed by Emiratis.