DUBAI: MeznSat, the UAE Space Agency’s latest satellite, is set for launch from the Plesetsk space center in northwestern Russia today as part of the country’s ambitious space strategy.
MeznSat, which detects greenhouse gas concentrations, was built by students from the Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah. The probe once in orbit will send data to the two universities’ ground stations, where it will be analyzed and processed, state news agency WAM reported
“Climate change has widely been attributed to the increase in GHGs in the atmosphere as a result of human activities. The impacts of climate change are expected to include shortage of water quantity and quality in most arid and semi-arid areas, and low agricultural productivity throughout the tropics and subtropics, accompanied by damage to ecosystems and biodiversity in these areas, and changes in forests and other ecosystems,” the space agency said in its website.
MeznSat aims to enrich scientific research and organise space-related activities while studying the Greenhouse Gas and red tide phenomenon in the #UAE's atmosphere.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 28, 2020
“Carbon Dioxide and Methane are the two most prevalent Greenhouse gases. Both emissions (methane and carbon dioxide) have to be addressed and monitored in order to effectively reduce the impact of climate change,” it added
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of UAE, earlier reviewed plans to send the first Arab mission to the moon by 2024 to be manned by Emirati astronauts.
The UAE’s new 2021-2031 strategy particularly covers the Mars Exploration Project “Hope Probe” 2117 Strategy, the Astronaut Program, the Satellite Development Program and the UAE Space Sector Sustainability Program.
