On the opening day, system providers of the Global Satellite Navigation systems and international governmental and non-governmental organizations from the US, Russia, European Union, China, Japan and India shared the latest insights on services including the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and the European Satellite Navigation System (GALILEO).
During the remaining days of this forum chaired by Omran Sharaf, EIAST’s Director of Space Image Processing & Analysis, the attending members will identify issues for discussion in future ICG plenary sessions and/or its working group meetings and present draft recommendations with regards to assemblies held since the Seventh Meeting of the ICG. Final recommendations will be reviewed towards the end of the sessions.
EIAST is also arranging a technical visit to EIAST’s Headquarters in Dubai,to explore the technology and operation of DubaiSat-1, the UAE’s remote sensing Earth-observation satellite.
His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, said: “EIAST has proven its commitment to promoting space technology in the region through developing new satellite applications in line with UAE Vision 2021. In 2009 it launched DubaiSat-1, which has since been providing valuable information and space pictures to different government entities to propel their strategic initiatives. DubaiSat-2 is currently preparing for its impending take off from Russia and DubaiSat-3, when ready to take to the orbit in 2017, would have equipped the UAE Engineers with the necessary skills to build our own satellites. EIAST has also been instrumental in creating increased awareness about space technology not just within the country but regionally through meaningful alliances. By hosting ICG, we hope to further expand our reach and collaboration with the international space community, and gain more knowledge about GNNS-related applications that can be leveraged to promote safety and economic development in the region.”
“In a relatively short span of time, EIAST has demonstrated its strong resolve to advance scientific pursuits in the country as well as the whole region. The meeting, which brings together experts from across the globe to discuss and act on issues that are of high relevance to the ICG, will serve to disseminate information regionally on global applications of GNSS and their socio-economic benefits for human kind,” added Sharafta Gadimova the Executive Secretariat of the ICG.
Previous meetings of the ICG have been held in Beijing, China; Tokyo, Japan; Turin, Italy; St. Petersburg, Russia; Pasadena, California USA; Bangalore, India; and the founding meeting in Vienna, Austria.
The International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems seeks to promote cooperation among ICG members on matters of mutual interest for the benefit of GNSS users and their service needs. It also explores compatibility and interoperability of GNSS in order to increase their use and support sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.
