UAE’s MeznSat satellite all set to launch from Russia

UAE’s MeznSat satellite all set to launch from Russia

The UAE's MeznSat satellite will launch from the Plesetsk space center in northwestern Russia today, September 28, at 11.20 GMT (3.20pm local time).

The MeznSat project, initiated and funded by the UAE Space Agency, contributes to the latter's objectives to develop national capabilities and enhance scientific research.

Developed by students from the Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), MeznSat is a 3U CubeSat built to detect Greenhouse Gas (GHG) concentrations, and will encourage advanced and locally relevant space-oriented research.

The satellite will be launched on the Russian Soyuz Rocket. Once in orbit, the team of students will then monitor, process, and analyse the data from the ground station in YahSat Space Lab at Khalifa University as well as a ground station in AURAK.

In preparation for the launch,