Nanosatellite, Nayif-1, completes testing ready for launch

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) have announced the completion of the communication Nanosatellite, Nayif-1.
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The satellite has passed all tests and is ready to be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket.
 
It was developed by Emirati students from AUS, under the supervision of engineers and specialists from MBRSC under a partnership between the two.
 
“This achievement reflects the determination and commitment of MBRSC to develop Emirati talent specialised in satellite manufacturing and space science,” said H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general, MBRSC.
 
“Satellite technologies are destined to become an important part of the future of the country and we are pleased to see our students and faculty play their due role in making it happen,” said Dr. Björn Kjerfve, chancellor, AUS.
 
“Nayif-1 is characterised with a number of advanced features, most notably that it’s programmed to transfer messages in Arabic. It also contains an active control system that works accurately to determine the satellite’s position and direction in space in order to maintain its balance attitude during operations,” said Ibrahim Al Qasim, Project Manager of Nayif-1 at MBRSC.
 
The knowledge transfer program and the project were in partnership with Innovative Solutions in Space.