According to state news agency WAM, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has completed preparations for the launch of its second nanosatellite, SAT-2, in April. The satellite, which is part of DEWA’s Space-D programme, will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Developed by DEWA’s Research and Development Centre in collaboration with NanoAvionics in Lithuania, the nanosatellite is equipped with a high-resolution camera and infrared equipment for measuring greenhouse gases. It will be used for Earth observation missions, including monitoring seawater temperature and salinity, red-tide detection, and fog monitoring and forecasting, which will help improve operational performance of power generation and water desalination plants. DEWA-SAT1 was launched last year. DEWA is reportedly the first utility company to use nanosatellites to improve its planning, operation, and maintenance activities.
In other news, the Sharjah Sat 1 satellite was successfully launched earlier this year. Its expected lifetime is three years, subject to increase due to the effect of solar radiation on the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. Meanwhile, the iSpace lander carrying the Rashid Rover performed its first lunar orbit insertion manoeuvre on March 21, an important step towards upcoming milestones of the rover’s mission.