The UAE launched the satellite Falcon's Eye into space from the French Guiana Space Centre at 05:33 hrs UAE time on 02 December to mark its 49th National Day, WAM reported. The Soyuz ST-A rocket lifted off from the launch complex and the Earth observation satellite separated 58 minutes after burns by the Fregat upper stage. It has a high-resolution imager and is the fourth reconnaissance satellite launched by the UAE, bringing the total number to twelve satellites in orbit.
The data it transmits back to the ground control station will be used for mapping, agricultural monitoring, urban planning and monitoring changes in the environment, helping with response planning for natural disasters, and monitoring the UAE's borders and coasts. Falcon's Eye has an earth-observation payload with very high resolution optical capabilities and will remain in Low Earth Orbit for ten years taking images of the ground below to relay to the ground control station.
The project began five years ago and was implemented by many experienced engineers and technicians from the UAE Armed Forces specialising in mega project management and military and space systems, who were joined by foreign experts.
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