The UAE’s newest satellite will on Saturday be launched into orbit, where it will collect data that will be used to “strengthen national security”.
Falcon Eye, the UAE’s fourth reconnaissance satellite, will take off from the French city of Guiana in South America this week after it was transported from Toulouse, France, where it was manufactured, on June 1.
The satellite will provide images from around the globe for military and civilian use for the next 10 years.
It has a high-definition imaging system and a mobile station capable of sending and receiving images from any region around the world.
The satellite will be launched into orbit from the French Guiana Space Centre on the North Atlantic coast of South America, at 5.53am UAE time.
The launch can be watched live on the Arianespace website or YouTube channel. The stream will begin 15 minutes before lift-off.
Falcon Eye will be the UAE’s 10th satellite to be in orbit. The country aims to launch two more by next year.
The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia, and will be launched by Vega rocket by Arianespace.
The images it takes will be used for mapping, agricultural monitoring, urban planning, urban regulation, natural disaster prevention and management. They will also be used to survey changes in the environment, desertification and monitor the UAE's borders and coasts.
The satellite will provide high-resolution images and maps to the UAE Armed Forces which they will use to "achieve their tasks efficiently and professionally", reported state news agency Wam.
