It carries a hyperspectral imager, a panchromatic imager and an atmospheric polarimeter to obtain data for precise monitoring of vegetation, water bodies and land use, detailed mapping and surface feature detection, as well as environmental survey and climate change research.

According to media in the UAE, engineers from 12 Arab countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, took part in the research and development effort, which has been called the Arab world's first joint satellite project.

The Egyptian SPNEX (Space Plasma Nano-satellite Experiment) is a mini-satellite jointly developed by the Egyptian Space Agency and Egypt's Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, with a focus on measuring and characterizing space plasma in the ionosphere to help with climate change studies.