Emirates SkyCargo transports first space satellite manufactured in the UAE

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has transported KhalifaSat – the first satellite developed and built by Emirati engineers in the UAE at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). As the first step in its journey to space, KhalifaSat was flown from Dubai to Incheon International Airport in South Korea on an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter aircraft that was specially chartered for the occasion. Emirates SkyCargo also unveiled a special branded truck to mark the event.  

KhalifaSat is the first space satellite built in the UAE by Emirati engineers

The KhalifaSat project was launched in 2013 by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the aim of manufacturing the first space satellite on UAE soil. Following its launch in 2018, the remote sensing satellite will provide images of earth for practical application in a variety of industries.

“Over the years, Emirates SkyCargo has transported a wide variety of unusual cargo but being able to transport the first satellite manufactured in the UAE is a unique honour. We are delighted to bring our expertise in air transportation to the table on this historic and momentous occasion,” said Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo Nabil Sultan.

“It has been a journey of nearly five years from the time the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre commenced the manufacture of KhalifaSat to now where we’re getting ready for the final launch. We needed a partner who had the capability and expertise to transport KhalifaSat from Dubai without compromising its sensitive instrumentation and components. Emirates SkyCargo worked with us over a three month period to make sure that the entire transportation process went smoothly,” said Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs Salem Al Marri

Given the extremely sensitive nature of the shipment, teams from Emirates SkyCargo and MBRSC worked together from November 2017 to prepare and plan all the steps in the movement of the satellite from Dubai to Incheon airport. The satellite was first moved from MBRSC’s manufacturing facility in Dubai to the Emirates SkyCentral DWC freighter cargo terminal at Dubai World Central airport on a dedicated remotely monitored Emirates SkyCargo truck travelling on a geo-fenced route with a police escort for maximum security. A number of trial loading exercises were also conducted by Emirates SkyCargo and MBRSC to ensure that operations went smoothly during the actual transportation of the satellite.

The satellite was then loaded through the wide main deck doors on the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter aircraft. The air cargo carrier’s team of cross-functional specialists, including specialised loadmasters, drew up an optimal loading plan on the aircraft for the safe transportation of the satellite. 

 In addition to loading and transportation, detailed planning was involved from Emirates Skycargo to ensure aircraft and crew availability as well as obtaining all relevant permissions for operating a chartered freighter flight to Incheon International airport.

Emirates SkyCargo’s charter operations

Emirates SkyCargo transports first space satellite manufactured in the UA

Between January and December 2017, Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet of 14 freighter aircraft have carried out over 370 charter flights to 140 destinations. This is over and above Emirates SkyCargo’s scheduled freighter operations to over 40 global destinations every week. A wide variety of cargo – from equipment for music concerts to outsized machinery and components for construction and manufacturing industries – from aircraft engines to yachts – were transported by charter flights through Emirates SkyCargo. 

Emirates SkyCargo is at the forefront of the global air cargo industry offering cargo capacity on its fleet of over 260 aircraft. The air cargo carrier combines a modern fleet, state of the art infrastructure and experienced staff to achieve the highest standards of service delivery and customer satisfaction.