Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) participated in the Middle East Geospatial Forum 2016 and GIS & Remote Sensing Annual Scientific Forum (GRASF 2016). The forum aims to exchange experiences and bring together specialists in the fields of GIS and Remote Sensing to showcase the best practices in spatial geography. Engineer Adnan Al Rais, Manager of Business Development Office of MBRSC, delivered a keynote address at GRASF, highlighting the Centre’s initiatives and projects to support Dubai Smart City initiative, through the use of remote sensing techniques, space applications and other related projects.
Eman Al Tunaiji, Engineer in the Applications Development and Analysis at MBRSC, also participated in a panel discussion at GRASF entitled “Smart Municipalities and Smart Cities”, during which she discussed the “SAFIY” Project and how it would serve municipalities and smart cities in providing information on the different infrastructure of buildings, road networks and transportation, in addition to vegetation and water.
Eng. Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, MBRSC said: “MBRSC was honoured to participate in the Middle East Geospatial Forum 2016 and GRASF 2016. Middle East Geospatial Forum is a leading event that represents an important addition to the agenda of international events held in Dubai. The forum is of great importance as it discusses the various Geospatial uses, applications and solutions, through combining technological innovation, sustainable development and outstanding services for the comfort and happiness of the people. Dubai is a leading model among the world’s cities in this regard, especially after the completion of transforming the emirate into a smart city and laying the necessary institutional and legislative foundation and frameworks, to be proactive in the implementation of advanced strategies and methodologies in the management of cities, depending on the highest technology and modern applications.”
“The centre is keen to launch projects, initiatives and satellite applications that serve the new reality and model in life and development in Dubai, in order to achieve sustainable development,” Al Marri concluded.
The “SAFIY” project is a system designed to automatically capture the most prominent landmarks from DubaiSat-2 images, in addition to providing three-dimensional information. Among the most prominent landmarks captured by this smart system is the road network, buildings, green and water landscapes. This project is one of the most innovative technologies developed by the MBRSC team, as the system automatically captures the landmarks without the user’s intervention. It also automatically updates the government entities database.
About MBRSC:
MBRSC is a Dubai Government entity which aims to promote scientific innovation and technology advancement in Dubai and the UAE. The Centre works on research projects and studies related to space science, in line with the approach of the United Arab Emirates, in its quest to develop the sector and build national academic skills through it.
Among the most prominent tasks entrusted to the Centre are the design, implementation, and supervision of all phases of launching the “Hope Probe” to explore Mars. The Centre is also responsible for all projects related to satellite technology and applications and specialized projects, and advanced technical projects assigned to stakeholders. Also, the Centre provides space imaging and earth station services and support to other satellite services.
In 2009, MBRSC launched “DubaiSat-1” into space, the first remote sensing satellite. In 2013, the second satellite “DubaiSat-2” was launched, while work is underway to launch the third satellite “KhalifaSat”, which is being built purely by Emirati engineering and expertise in the UAE.
