The Sharjah Academy for Space Sciences and Technology is preparing to launch the "Sharjah-Sat 2" satellite


‘The Sharjah Academy for Space Sciences and Technology is preparing to launch the "Sharjah-Sat 2" satellite mid-next year. The team is developing the satellite in the CubeSat laboratory in collaboration with local entities. The lab is equipped with the essential devices and tools required for satellite project design and a clean room designed to protect the satellite systems from dust and other factors that may affect their efficiency. Work is also underway to build multi-frequency ground stations to ensure continuous communication with the satellite once it enters its orbit.

The Space Sciences Department at the academy, which is affiliated with the University of Sharjah, follows modern research methods focusing on the quality of scientific research and publication in internationally recognized journals. It also works on transferring knowledge to the general public through lectures and workshops, organizing seminars, field visits, and training engineers and university students locally and internationally.

The department houses several scientific laboratories to achieve advanced research outcomes in specialized fields: the Meteorite Center, the CubeSat Laboratory, the High-Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, the Space Weather and Ionosphere Laboratory, and the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. This report will highlight these laboratories.

The Meteorite Center holds a "Meteorite Collection" of around 8,000 pieces from various regions and types, including stony, iron, lunar, and Martian meteorites. This unique collection offers a special opportunity to study the physical and chemical factors that have influenced the solar system's formation. The center consists of two central units: the Meteorite Analysis Unit, which focuses on distinguishing meteorites from terrestrial rocks using advanced equipment to analyze their chemical and mineral composition, thus enriching scientific research that enhances the understanding of meteorites and the origin and evolution of the solar system; and the Meteor and Fireball Observation Unit, which operates through the Emirates Meteor Monitoring Network, composed of three observation towers located in Sharjah, Al Yahar, and Liwa. Each tower has cameras that automatically observe the sky from sunset to sunrise.