....the DubaiSat-2 project has completed a crucial stage in the design phase, with the qualification model (QM) passing a series of rigorous tests. The Qualification Model is the third and final design model, and represents the last test of all components on DubaiSat-2, the UAE's second remote sensing satellite which is due to be launched into orbit by the end of 2012. The model is very close to the final satellite, but has been made with less space worthy components.
The DubaiSat-2 Qualification Model has been put through a series of tests to ensure the final satellite can withstand the harsh environment of the launch and its long mission in space. Tests included vibration testing, acoustic testing, thermal testing, thermal vacuum testing, a shock test and mass measurement. All of these tests were completed in early October. The next step for the engineers behind the project is one last verification of the data from the electronic components before a meeting is held at the end of February to review the data and confirm that the project is ready to enter the manufacturing stage.
The satellite will orbit 600km above the earth’s surface compared to the 690km orbit of DubaiSat-1. The orbit has also been changed from an ascending obit (South to North) to a descending orbit (North to South), which will allow both satellites to work well in constellation as well as give better coverage of the UAE area. Among other significant improvements, the UAE team along with their South Korean Partners (Satrec Initiative) have designed the satellite to produce higher quality images at 1m resolution which can serve various applications including environmental projects, urban planning, infrastructure, telecommunications and electricity projects.
The DubaiSat-2 project is a joint development programme between EIAST and Satrec Initiative of South Korea, in which 16 UAE engineers have been working on the design, development, testing and manufacturing of the satellite. The participation of the UAE engineers, who are currently working in South Korea, has increased by 100 percent from the DubaiSat-1 project and it is hoped that this will take EIAST to the next level in satellite development.