ABOUT DM SAT1

Dubai Municipality, in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, launched the DMSAT-1 satellite on March 22, 2021, becoming the first environmental nanometric satellite in the Arab region dedicated to environmental monitoring. This is an important step in the emirate towards the future of environmental space observations as it provides an exceptional opportunity to build new research and technical capabilities in the field of environmental scientific research. The satellite is expected to contribute and open new horizons in space technology too, and provide valuable environmental information important towards achieving sustainability, finding solutions and developing long-term plans to meet the challenges of urban pollution and climate change, anticipating the future of the environment in Dubai, and stimulating the emirate's role in climate change research. Dubai Municipality intends to grow partnership and knowledge cooperation in the environmental data exchange and research with different local and international stakeholders, such as C40, which facilitates climate change cooperation and coordination between different cities.

DM SAT1 TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

The DMSat-1 is one of the latest generations of nanometric satellites in environmental monitoring weighing just 15 kg. It was designed according to the latest standards and technologies in this field and it is capable of monitoring space data at an altitude of 730 km above the Earth's surface. Utilising the latest polarimetric and spectrometric advancements, the satellite is able to capture a wide range of environmental data on particulate pollutants and greenhouse gases, providing a multi-purpose data important in environmental research and studies. The satellite is controlled by two computer devices, one of which works to secure the ground-station communication and data storage, and the second device controls the mechanical actuators responsible for the accurate guidance of the satellite during observations, The satellite also includes a high-accuracy GPS system that ensures accurate traffic on specific sites at specific times for monitoring purposes. The satellite is supplied with energy through solar panels located on its body. The satellite is scheduled to pass through specific locations following specific timetable allowing monitoring of the same site more than once within a period not exceeding 3-5 days. This approach has increased the monitoring coverage in the Emirate, and allows development of the comprehensive air quality satellite database.