The UAE will launch Khalifa Sat, the first Arab-made satellite by 2017, Dubai government sources revealed on Sunday.

“Khalifa Sat is a message to all Arabs that Arab ushering into the space era is neither out of reach nor impossible and our State will be a leader in this industry as long as we have the confidence and courage to enter into competition with major countries in this field,” said Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, while launching the project.

Sheikh Mohammed, who launched the executive phases for building the Khalifa Sat, the first satellite to be built and manufactured by UAE experts, also dedicated the space project to President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

“Our doors will remain open for cooperation with all Arab countries in space technology and engineering,” Sheikh Mohammed added.