DubaiSat-1

DubaiSat-1 (Arabic: دبي سات-1‎) is a remote sensing Earth observation satellite built by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) under an agreement with Satrec Initiative, a satellite manufacturing company in South Korea.[3]

DubaiSat-1
An artist rendering of DubaiSat-1
Mission typeRemote sensing
OperatorMohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
COSPAR ID2009-041B [1]
SATCAT no.35682 [1]
Mission duration5 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusSI-200
ManufacturerSatrec Initiative, South Korea
Launch mass190 kg
Dimensions1200 x 1200 mm (hexagonal)
Power330 watts
Start of mission
Launch date29 July 2009, 18:46:00 UTC
RocketDnepr
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 109/95
ContractorISC Kosmotras
End of mission
Last contact21 August 2015
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric [2]
RegimeSun-Synchronous
Perigee altitude666 km
Apogee altitude681 km
Inclination98.13°
Period98.21 minutes
Epoch29 July 2009 [2]
Main camera
NameDubai Medium Aperture Camera (DMAC)
WavelengthsPan: 420-720 nm
MS1: 420-510 nm (blue)
MS2: 510-580 nm (green)
MS3: 600-720 nm (red)
MS4: 760-890 nm (near infrared)
Resolution2.5 m (Pan)
5 m (MS)
 

DubaiSat-1 was launched on 29 July 2009 into a 680 km altitude sun-synchronous polar orbit from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, along with several other satellites on board the Dnepr launch vehicle.[4][5][6]

Overview
An external view of DubaiSat-1 and coordinate system.
DubaiSat-1's DMAC Mechanical Structure.

DubaiSat-1 observes the earth at a Low Earth orbit (LEO) and generates high-resolution optical images at 2.5 m in panchromatic (black-and-white) and at 5 m in multispectral (colour) bands. These images provide decision makers in the UAE as well as EIAST clients with a valuable tool for a wide range of applications including infrastructure development, urban planning, and environment monitoring and protection. DubaiSat-1 images are also useful for promoting geosciences and remote sensing research in the region, and for supporting different scientific disciplines in private and academic sectors.[7][8]

For example, DubaiSat-1 images have been used, to monitor progress on The World megaproject, Palm Islands, and the Al Maktoum International Airport.[9][10]

The United Nations also used DubaiSat-1 images to monitor relief efforts following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.[11][12]

The satellite accommodates two main payloads. The primary payload is the Dubai Medium Aperture Camera (DMAC), and the secondary and experimental payload, the Space Radiation Monitor (SRM).[3]

The DMAC system is pushbroom imaging system with one panchromatic and four multi-spectral imaging channels. It also consists of an Electro-Optical Subsystem and the Payload Management Subsystem. The Electro-Optical Subsystem has a telescope, a focal plane assembly, and a Signal Processing Module. The Payload Management Subsystem consists of the Thermal and Power Module and the Mass storage and Control Module.[3]

The Space Radiation Monitor, the secondary and experimental payload, is capable of measuring the total ionizing dose from the charged particles at the orbits of satellites. The instrument utilizes four p-type Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effects Transistors (MOSFETs). These devices measure the current-voltage characteristics of the satellite. Subsequent analysis will allow measurements of the amount of cumulative ionizing dose, and of the total ionizing dose of the devices.[3]

Structure

DubaiSat-1 has a hexagonal body with three deployable solar panels. The frame includes spacecraft adaptors, six longerons, rails, an inner ring that provides rigidity and stability of the satellite's camera, inner rods and three decks. Three spacecraft adaptors connect with shear brackets and mechanically couple the satellite and separation adaptor of the launch vehicle, the Dnepr rocket. Each one of the spacecraft adaptors has separation sensors to monitor the separation condition between the satellite and the launch vehicle. The umbilical connector attaches on the lower surface of the bottom deck with its mounting support bracket.[3]

Ground Station Components
The ground station components of DubaiSat-1.

EIAST's Ground Station is located in Dubai, and is the only ground system supporting the DubaiSat-1 mission. The ground system consists of three main subsystems:

Antenna and RF Subsystem

The Antenna and RF subsystem consists of an 11.28 metre antenna system, an S-band transmitter feed, an S-band receiver feed, an X-band receiver feed, and a tracking system. The RF equipment is used to communicate with the satellite. It receives X-band RF signals and performs RF processing. It also produces a demodulated and bit-synchronized data stream from X-band signals. In general, it are to transmit imaging orders and command the satellite through the S-band transmitter feed; receive information and health status from the satellite through the S-band receiver feed; and download the images through the X-band feed.[3]

Mission Control Station

From the Mission Control Station, EIAST staff plan and operate the entire space mission, including the configuration and scheduling of resources for both space and ground elements. It also monitors and commands the satellite.[3]

Image Receiving and Processing Station

The third component of the ground system is the Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS). The IRPS receives and processes the X-band downlink data in real-time. This includes generation of standard image products and catalogues for integration with system management; for archive management; and for comprehensive user interface to provide easy access to satellite image data.[3]

The IRPS is located at EIAST's ground station in Dubai. It has a direct interface with the main mission control station and it generates schedule requests which includes imaging and download schedules. It also archives image and ancillary data for product generation and distribution.[3]

Applications

Infrastructure development

Satellite imagery provides an alternative way of looking at the world. It can add significant incremental data useful in a wide range of applications. The high-resolution spatial images can complement the existing geographic information system databases too.

DubaiSat-1 images support infrastructure development in the UAE and the Persian Gulf region. These images assist decision makers involved in urban and rural planning, transportation, utilities and mapping. Some images were also useful for monitoring progress on the Dubai World Megaproject, Palm Islands and the Al Maktoum International Airport.[9][10]

Environmental

Many environmental and meteorological events such as vegetation stress, fog, land degradation, sandstorms, desertification and droughts cannot be captured by ground measurements alone, making remote sensing an important tool in environmental monitoring. The sun-synchronous orbit of DubaiSat-1 merges with data from geostationary missions to provide enhancements on existing models.

Additionally, due to their low precipitation rates, arid regions are the world's major source of atmospheric dust that affects local, regional and global climate. Dust and sand storms create potentially hazardous air quality for humans, and adversely affect climate on regional and worldwide scales. Remote sensing is a demonstrably valuable tool for detecting, mapping and forecasting such events. However, arid and semi arid regions have their own specific and unique characteristics and vulnerabilities that require special attention when adapting existing remote sensing tools efficiently. Satellite imaging helps monitor and improve management of the world's agricultural resources. Multispectral images contribute by monitoring land use, generating vegetation indices, and monitoring water quality.[13]

Disaster relief

Satellite images are useful tools to assist disaster relief teams to determine how to tackle rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of catastrophic natural, or even man-made, events. In the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, EIAST applied DubaiSat-1 to help disaster relief teams determine and manage the scale of the event.[11][12]

DubaiSat-2
Main article: DubaiSat-2

DubaiSat-2 is an electro-optical earth observation satellite system to be launched and operated by Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology. The spacecraft will have a ground sampling distance of 1 meter at 600 km in a sun-synchronous orbit. DubaiSat-2 will have the capacity to store approximately 17,000 km2 of image data. It is relatively small, weighing less than 300 kg and suitable for commercial use within the UAE or other regions worldwide. The electro-optical payload is a push-broom camera with TDI sensors.[14][15]

The launch was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012 and is ready, but launch practicalities will move it into 2013. DubaiSat-2 also includes an experimental propulsion system for orbit correction and maintenance. The satellite's expected lifetime is at least five years. The modules in the satellite use two CAN Bus networks to communicate with each other without the use of a host computer.[15]

DubaiSat-2 was launched 21 November 2013.

The following are some of the satellite images taken by DubaiSat-1:

References
  1. "DUBAISAT 1 Satellite Details". N2YO. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  2. McDowell, Jonathan. "SATCAT". Jonathan's Space Pages. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  3. Al Rais, Adnan; et al. "DUBAISAT-1: Mission Overview, Development Status and Future Applications" (PDF). Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology. pp. V196–V199. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  4. Hamilton, Charlie (29 July 2009). "After years of work and delays, DubaiSat-1 finally ready for lift-off". The National. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. "DubaiSat 1". NASA. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  6. "DubaiSat-1's pyramid image dedicated to Egyptians". Zawya. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. Choi, Young-Wan; et al. (October 2009). "IAC-09.B1.3.10 DUBAISAT-1 Camera: Pre-Launch Performance Characterization" (PDF). Satrec Initiative. pp. 1–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  8. "DubaiSat-1 Space Segment". Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  9. "DubaiSat-1 starts to transmit images of the UAE from space". Gulf News. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  10. "DubaiSat-1 sends first series of images from space". Dubai Chronicle. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  11. "DubaiSat-1 images help UN efforts in Japan". UN - SPIDER. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  12. "DubaiSat-1 images help UN efforts in Japan". The Gulf Today. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  13. "DubaiSat-1 Transmit images from Mirny Mine in Russia". UAE Interact. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  14. Conroy, Erin (26 May 2011). "DubaiSat-2 to be an improvement on predecessor". The National. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  15. Conroy, Erin (17 February 2011). "DubaiSat-2 to be an improvement on predecessor". The National. Retrieved 8 August 2012.

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