The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched the NanoSatellite Outreach Program (NSOP), which provides the opportunity for all universities across the UAE to nominate a group of their students to design, build and launch a nanometric satellite in coordination with the Centre.

The program is primarily designed to enhance the capabilities and skills of university students from various engineering disciplines in order to develop the human infrastructure necessary for the space sector in the UAE. In the same context, MBRSC held a meeting attended by representatives from all universities, who had the chance to learn about the program's details, scientific and educational goals.

The program was announced during the UAE Innovation Week, in line with the directive of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to mark 2015 as the "Year of Innovation".

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched the "National Innovation Strategy", aimed at contributing in the achievement of the UAE Vision 2021.

The importance of NSOP lies in the fact that it is a continuation of the educational project of the Nayif-1, the first UAE nano-satellite to be developed by seven Emirati students from AUS under the leadership and supervision of MBRSC.

Nayif-1 will have an active control system that hadn't been launched before to space aboard of 1U CubeSat (10+ 10+ 10cm). This control system is designed to accurately locate the satellite in space and preserve its stability during operation.

"Apart from being the main destination for the most prominent innovators in the region, the main purpose of the UAE Innovation Week is to encourage a culture of creating, developing and inventing in our societies.

"Thus, we took it upon ourselves to equip our youth with the scientific skills they need, in partnership with universities, so that they become the optimal driving and investment force behind achieving our Vision, aiming for the UAE to be one of the most innovative countries in the world the UAE to become the best country in the world by 2021," said H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, MBRSC.

"The creation of a stimulating environment and the necessary resources for students and young people is the key factor in turning their dreams into reality and in generating innovative ideas, which we experienced with the Nayif-1.

"Therefore, we decided to embark once again on the same path and to allow all universities in the UAE the chance to compete, offering students educational and training opportunities in the space field," he added.

Al Shaibani concluded: "These educational programs will have a major impact on academic institutions, space and advanced technology sectors. Innovative ideas highlight the UAE's position as a pioneering country in the region and the world through a pivotal sector, impacting people's daily lives and serving as a catalyst for services provided by government to society."