Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed an agreement with Dubai Municipality to design and manufacture the first environmental nanometric satellite in the region. The satellite, DM SAT1, is a project of the Dubai Future Accelerators program. The project will employ the latest environmental space technologies to monitor air pollutants and greenhouse gases that cause climate change.The data is expected to help understand, monitor and curtail the  pollution in the region and to tackle climate change. which threatens the sustainability of ecosystems and natural resources, as well as the health and safety of communities.

Dubai Future Accelerators program consolidates the efforts of the government and private sector to find solutions for the challenges of the future, as per the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Shaikh Hamdan has said that it is a necessity and a strategic outlook for cities and governments in our ever changing world.

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, and Yousuf AlShaibani, Director-General of MBRSC, signed the agreement on the presence of Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation. Dubai Municipality is the first municipality in the region to adopt a satellite for environmental monitoring.

DM SAT1 is the first-of-its-kind in the region. There are several unique features, including ability to cover large areas of land and sea, and to turn around the Earth at a rate of 14 times during the same day, and same site monitoring more than once within a period of 3-5 days. The satellite further has 2 built-in computers for data analysis and storage and a very accurate GPS system.

DM SAT1 will provide data for monitoring sandstorms and other environment related activities, including aerosols and other factors affecting the climate as well as natural marine and wildlife reserves. It is reported to be built with assistance from the British Space Agency.