December 10, 2025 marked a historic milestone for the UAE as Arab Satellite 813, the region’s first hyperspectral satellite, successfully reached orbit aboard China’s Lijian-1 Y11 rocket.
Launched from China by CAS Space, the mission carried nine satellites, including payloads from the UAE, Egypt, and Nepal. CAS Space confirmed the successful deployment of all satellites into their designated orbits.
Arab Satellite 813 represents the first joint Arab satellite project spearheaded by the UAE. Announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the mission aims to strengthen scientific collaboration and build advanced space capabilities across the region. The name 813 honors the year that marked the rise of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad – an era of scientific flourishing that the project seeks to revive.
Developed at the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at UAE University, the satellite is the UAE’s first to carry a hyperspectral imaging system with 205 spectral bands. This advanced technology allows for highly detailed monitoring of the Earth’s surface, supporting applications in agriculture, environmental protection, resource management, climate analysis, and urban development across the Arab world.
Key Highlights:
Regional Collaboration: The mission is a “gift” from the UAE government to the Arab Space Cooperation Group, aimed at fostering scientific collaboration across the region and building local space expertise.
Advanced Capabilities: It is equipped with a state-of-the-art hyperspectral imager that captures data in over 200 spectral bands, providing highly detailed environmental and resource data.
Applications: The satellite will provide critical data for agriculture, urban planning, environmental monitoring, resource management, and climate change assessment across the Arab world.
Local Development: The micro-satellite was built and tested entirely in the UAE by a team of Emirati engineers at the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) in Al Ain.
Legacy: Named after the year 813 AD, symbolizing the peak of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, the mission honors a legacy of scientific advancement. The ground station at the NSSTC will manage all operations.
