Dubaisat satellite with engineers. Photo: EIAST

[Via Satellite 03-18-2014] The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has signed a contract with Satrec Initiative for global promotion and distribution of Dubai Sat 2’s products and services to customers worldwide. The organizations previously collaborated in the Dubai Sat 1 and 2 projects, and they are currently working on the first Arab-made satellite, the Khalifa Sat, expected to launch by 2017. Emirati engineers are involved in the planning and designing of the Khalifa Sat.

“The new agreement is particularly significant because it’s considered the beginning of a new phase of constructive cooperation and higher level of effective coordination between EIAST and Satrec Initiative toward achieving technical excellence and scientific progress in the Middle East led by UAE,” said H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general, EIAST. “We are grateful to Satrec Initiative for its contributions to our successful campaign to promote modern knowledge and advanced scientific techniques among UAE Nationals as well as our efforts to develop the scientific and technical skills of the Emiratis. All of these lead to our goal of turning UAE into a major base for manufacturing satellites.”