UAE Bahrain To Launch Nanosatellite Light-1

(WAM) The joint UAE-Bahraini nanosatellite Light-1 will be launched to the International Space Station on 21st December 2021. It represents a major milestone of cooperation in space science, technology and engineering between the UAE and Bahrain.

Name Inspiration

Light-1’s name was inspired by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain's book, The First Light. It recounts key points in Bahrain's history and the name symbolises the country’s growth and scientific progress.

The team

The research spacecraft was developed by leading Bahraini and Emirati engineers and scientists working from labs in the UAE. The team is made up of 23 students, including nine Bahrainis and 14 Emiratis from Khalifa University and New York University Abu Dhabi.

Light-1 Mission

After reaching its orbit around Earth, Light-1 will monitor and study terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGRs) from thunderstorms and cumulus clouds.

TRG analysis is an emerging field of geoscientific research which the mission will contribute to at an international level. It will be the first study of its kind in the region. New York University will be leading the science data analysis aspect for this mission.

Light-1 will take off onboard a SpaceX CRS-24 flight on board of a Falcon 9 rocket. Light-1 then will get deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module (KIBO) in the ISS into orbit, under supervision from the Japanese Aerospace Space Agency (JAXA).

The nanosatellite was built and designed in collaboration between the UAE Space Agency and Bahrain's National Space Science Agency (NSSA). It is a testament to the bilateral ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UAE, underscoring the social, economic and scientific cooperation between both countries in priority industries, including space.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here