Dubai: The Arab world's first environmental nanometric satellite, DMSat-1, is ready for launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the 20th of this month. The satellite, which is a first of its kind in the Arab region, was developed by the joint venture of Dubai Municipality and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). The launch objectives include developing scientific solutions for environmental challenges and climatic change.
DMSat-1 will collect data relating to environmental changes and process them using advanced space technologies. The satellite will also measure air pollution and greenhouse gasses. The data collected would then be used to find remedies for challenges like urban pollution, climatic change, and predicting nature.
There were collaborations with national and international research teams under MBRSC's supervision for the initiative. The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of Toronto University studied Dubai Municipality's needs and contributed to the satellite. Satellites similar to DMSat-1 have been launched before. In Dubai, scientists are now processing data regarding the mission and working on the launch preparations.