Project Summary

A multilingual, fast, and scalable website and native application developed in just 45 days to support the historic Emirates Mars Mission satellite launch.

The Opportunity and Backstory

The project came to me during one of the most challenging times in my professional life. After the first lockdown, my agency was struggling financially, and I had been using my credit cards to cover salaries. I had left a part-time job a few months prior, and the lockdown compounded the difficulties. In this tough situation, my friend Sumit Ghugharwal came like a savior, offering me the website and app development work for the Emirates Mars Mission satellite launch.

This wasn’t just a project—it was a lifeline. I knew I had to give it everything I had.

My Role

I took on multiple responsibilities:

• Frontend Development: Focused on UI and SEO optimization using Gatsby, an advanced React framework.

• Day-to-Day Project Management: Ensured smooth collaboration across a global team of developers, including backend engineers and native app developers.

• Problem-Solving: Took ownership of key challenges, from tight deadlines to implementing VR features.

The Challenge

The stakes were sky-high.

1. Tight Deadline: With only 45 days to the satellite launch, we had to deliver a multilingual, high-performance website and native apps for iOS and Android.

2. Technical Complexity: The project required cutting-edge technologies like Gatsby for the website, Strapi for the backend, and native Swift/Kotlin for the mobile apps.

3. High Expectations: We were working with senior UAE government officials and scientists from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Research Centre, meaning every detail had to be flawless.

The Approach

Pulling the Hustler Mode

I shifted into overdrive, working 16-hour days to meet the aggressive timeline. My goal was to deliver the first iteration of the website within 10 days. This wasn’t just about speed—I knew changes and refinements would come fast and frequently, so an early delivery gave us the flexibility to adapt.

Mindset and Productivity

Oddly enough, watching Naruto while coding became my secret weapon. It gave me the energy and motivation to wake up at 3-5 am and keep going until midnight.

Collaborative Problem-Solving

The team was talented and experienced, but there were moments where quick thinking was required. For instance, the iOS developer struggled with implementing a 3D VR feature to display a satellite model. After three days of attempts, he declared it unfeasible. I took matters into my own hands, researching online and discovering that displaying a 3D object on iOS was as simple as passing a URL to a PDF viewer. Within an hour, I worked with the developer to implement the feature successfully.

The Solution

The website and app were designed and developed with cutting-edge technologies:

• Website: Built on Gatsby for performance, scalability, and SEO.

• Backend: Powered by Strapi, an open-source CMS ensuring flexibility and multilingual support.

• Native Apps: Developed in Swift and Kotlin for seamless functionality on iOS and Android.

• Quick Delivery: The first cut of the website was delivered in just 10 days, setting the pace for subsequent iterations and refinements.

The Launch Night

The culmination of our efforts arrived on launch night. As the satellite took off, the website and apps worked flawlessly, with no major issues reported. It was a moment of pride and relief, knowing that our work supported such a historic event.

Key Outcomes

1. Timely Delivery: Delivered a multilingual, scalable website and native apps in just 45 days.

2. Seamless Collaboration: Successfully coordinated across time zones with a diverse, talented team.

3. Technical Innovations: Implemented complex features like VR modeling under tight deadlines.