Laboratory to Provide Students and Faculty with Facilities Required to Construct, Test and Launch Miniature CubeSat Satellite

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17 April, 2017 

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a research-driven graduate-level institution focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Al Yahsat Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), have announced the launch of the Yahsat Space Laboratory. Masdar Institute is a part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

Launched by officials from Masdar Institute, Yahsat and Orbital ATK, the lab responds to the UAE leadership’s call to develop and advance technologies within the space sector and to make continuing strides toward the UAE’s advanced space ambitions.

The new lab has been designed to provide students and faculty of the Masdar Institute Master’s concentration in space systems and technology with the facilities required to construct, test and launch miniature satellite CubeSats. The high-tech and specialized research facilities within the lab will also support the development of intellectual capital required to advance the space and aerospace sectors. Additionally, the lab will serve as a platform for future research in space technologies, allowing the UAE Space Agency to work with the Institute and other partners on collaborative projects that facilitate the advancement of the local space sector.

Masood. M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat said: “We are deeply honored to be launching the Yahsat Space Laboratory at the Masdar Institute campus today, a facility that is dedicated for advanced research and enabling students to develop CubeSats. At Yahsat, we strongly believe that by complementing educational programs with state-of-the-art facilities for learning and development, we can provide best quality education to the youth, right here in the UAE. We would also like to thank Masdar Institute and Orbital ATK for their cooperation and support in making this laboratory a reality.”

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “The inauguration of the Yahsat Space Laboratory is a momentous occasion not only for our university, but also for the UAE’s space ambitions. The country has a goal of sending an unmanned space probe to Mars by 2021, which will require the development of a new generation of engineers and innovators. I am confident the new Yahsat Space Lab, in conjunction with university’s space concentration, will play a significant role in training the experts needed for this ambitious objective.”

The Yahsat Space Laboratory will be led by Masdar Institute faculty Dr. Saif Almheiri, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. They will head the development of CubeSats designed collaboratively by MI, Yahsat and Orbital ATK. Each CubeSat will be built with different payloads, such as cameras, sensors and scientific equipment. MYSAT-1 is the program’s first satellite, design of which began with the first cohort of students from the space concentration in August 2015. It has been built with a camera and will also test a novel lithium-ion battery designed and developed at Masdar Institute.

“We are proud to be part of this innovative collaboration with Yahsat and Masdar Institute.  For the past two years our subject matter experts have worked with the students and faculty of Masdar Institute and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and capabilities they have brought to the program.  With the opening of the Yahsat Space Laboratory we look forward to the next phase of the program that will culminate with the launching of the MYSAT-1 CubeSat,” said Frank Culbertson, President of Orbital ATK's Space Systems Group.

The lab also stands as an example of industry-academic collaboration to enable knowledge transfer in pursuit of home-grown expertise in advanced technologies. As per the collaboration agreement between MI and Yahsat, the satellite company provides expert guidance and opportunities for MI’s space concentration students. Orbital ATK serves as the ‘subject matter expert’, providing testing facilities and facilitating the launch of miniature satellites developed through the program. The Master’s space concentration was developed to foster the advanced research areas in space science and technology needed to support the UAE national space program and space-related industries with human resources, technical advancements and infrastructure.

-Ends-

For more information contact:
Name: Shaima Al Jarman
Director – Marketing & Communications
Public Affairs Department
Email: saljarman@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 810 9365

About Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) is a private graduate university addressing issues of regional and global importance through a specialty in clean and renewable energy, water and environment, and sustainable technologies. The Institute is a part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that reflects critical energy and sustainability challenges. An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute is dedicated to developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to pursuing solutions to some of humanity’s toughest challenges. Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop critical thinkers and the leaders of tomorrow. 

For further information, please visit http://www.masdar.ac.ae/

About Yahsat
Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose Ka-band satellite services including:

  • YahClick - offers broadband satellite solutions for home and business

  • YahService - offers managed solutions and government capacity

  • YahLink - offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking and backhauling capacity

  • Yahlive – a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, offers premium services to broadcasters and a select choice of TV channels

Yahsat’s first satellite Al Yah 1 was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Al Yah 2 was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat announced its third satellite, Al Yah 3, planned for launch in 2017, extending their commercial Ka-band coverage to an additional 20 markets reaching 60% of Africa’s population and over 95% of Brazil’s population, marking the company’s first entry into Brazil.

For more information visit www.yahsat.ae

About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies.  The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier.  Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,500 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations.  For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.

© Press Release 2017