4C Controls, Hydra, Baynuna to build the First High Resolution Satellite Space Center in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, 24th Feb. 2009 (WAM) : Abu Dhabi will soon feature on the space map of the world with the setting up of the 4C GEOC Gulf Earth Observation Centre, the first space centre of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to receive, analyze and utilize data from satellites orbiting the earth.

The 4C GEOC will be developed in a collaborative, joint venture between US public company 4C Controls Inc., and Abu Dhabi based Hydra Trading LLC.

The Space Centre will cover a surface area of approximately 10,000 square meters. The facility will host an earth observation satellite data Direct Receiving Station (DRS) and offer university level courses in space engineering held in cooperation with POLITECNICO DI TORINO, one of Europes most distinguished science and technology institutes.

Khalid Abdulla Mubarak Al Buainnain, Executive Vice President Middle East Military and Defence Projects, 4C Controls Inc.: "We believe that having 4Cs Gulf Earth Observation Centre located in Abu Dhabi will uniquely provide our region an access to a key technology, secure and timely data acquisition, processing, analysis and distribution, which was not available to our regional customers." He unveiled that the space centre will cost US$ 30 million and US$ 500 million be allocated for purchasing the two satellites which are scheduled to be launched in 2012 and 2013.

The Space Centre will be a dual use facility and be focused on defense applications, civilian security and surveillance, emergency risk management, maritime management, environmental protection, geology, forestry and hydrology, cartography and planning.

Commenting on the venture Dr Mohamad Zahran, Director General, Hydra Trading said: "We are pleased to announce the proposed space centre in Abu Dhabi. The establishment of the state-of the-art centre which is envisaged to be the only facility of its kind in the MENA region will usher in a new era in the space history of the UAE.

''The centre will be a major step towards further development of space research and technology in the region, especially as we also intend to create a talent pool specialized in the most advanced space technologies.

For this venture, we are pleased to partner with a very strong partner, 4C Controls"According to Mr. Jean-Robert Martin, Chairman of the Board of 4C Controls, the space centre will form a link in a global network of three ground stations spread across the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to collect satellite data and provide telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C).

"Given the fact that the security industry worldwide is shifting towards more integrated security solutions, we are focusing on technology as the key driver of growth," he said. "In the wake of increasing security threats and global terrorism, safety and security are more critical than ever before to governments, military, individuals, commercial and residential sectors.

''Our aim is to achieve global superiority through cutting edge technology and industrial development, offering diverse and integrated security and surveillance solutions, he added.

Gulf Satellite ProgrammeThe proposed multi-utility Space Centre, will host a ground station Direct Receiving Station (DRS) - with facilities to acquire, process, analyze and distribute high resolution data in real time from optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) earth observation satellites across an area of interest (AOI) ranging from latitude 43 S to 43 N. The data will be acquired under the companys Gulf Satellites Programme, an earth observation system (EOS) consisting of four high resolution SAR satellites (GULF SAR 1, 2, 3 & 4) and two high resolution optical satellites.

Alliance with e-Geos S.P.A and other leading global operators The DRS plans to receive and distribute in real-time the COSMO-SkyMed satellite SAR data acquired in its visibility range. The COSMO-SkyMed system involves a constellation of four satellites equipped with RADAR sensors designed to operate under any weather conditions in any type of visibility and with very short revisiting time. Three of the COSMO-SkyMed satellites are in orbit and the fourth is expected to be launched in 2010. The 4C GEOC will have access to all COSMO-SkyMed images through an exclusive distribution agreement that 4C and e-GEOS S.p.A., which grants exclusive satellite image distribution rights to 4C to certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including the UAE.

Space Academy The 4C GEOC programme will also create a new generation of skilled space engineers and technicians specialized in one of the worlds most advanced satellite technologies. The proposed ground station complex includes a facility for training regional customers in the latest high resolution earth observation applications, with a special focus on SAR.

In addition, it will host a space engineering academy with classrooms, laboratories for hands-on experience in software (especially image processing), telecommunications and electronics. The academy will offer university level space engineering courses conducted in cooperation with Politecnico Di Torino, one of Europes most distinguished science and technology institutes.

There are also plans to include a conference centre for hosting special events and annual conventions related to earth observation technologies.