Emirati leadership in “space”… 50 international and emerging companies and 5 research centers

Abu Dhabi – WAM

The UAE’s space industry plays a key role in supporting the national economy, enhancing the country’s attractiveness for investments and highlighting global capabilities and innovation in the sector.

In a short period of time, the UAE has succeeded in building a pioneering space industry regionally and globally, which includes more than 50 international and emerging space companies, institutions and facilities, five research centers for space science and three university programs. A qualified workforce of graduates in space science should lead the sector towards further growth.

The following report reviews the most important achievements of the UAE’s space economy at the “World Space Week 2023” event from October 4 to 10 under the theme “Space and Entrepreneurship”. pillar in the nation’s journey for the next fifty years.

The results of the recently announced Space Economic Survey for 2021 show that total spending on the national space industry increased by 6.61% over the previous year, while government spending totaled 55.7%, an increase of 12.7%. % in 2020, and business spending accounted for 44.3% of the sector’s total spending.

The survey showed that expenditure on research and development increased by 14.8%. Spending on research and development in the aerospace sector accounts for 76.8% of the total, and Emirati workers account for 38.5% of the country’s aerospace workforce. The results of the survey also show the participation of Emirati youth with a rate of 59.2% among young workers.

The results of the survey show that 54.4% of companies benefiting from the services and applications of companies operating in the space sector are located in the UAE, with the communications sector being the largest beneficiary, followed by defence, education, tourism and entertainment sectors. , in addition to an 83.6% increase in the number of scientific publications.

The promising results of the 2021 Space Economy Survey highlight the vast opportunities for growth of the sector and its role in the long-term development of innovation, science, advanced technologies and the knowledge economy.

On July 17, the UAE announced the establishment of a special strategic fund to support the space sector, which works in line with the country’s tendency to find alternative and innovative solutions to provide financial resources and manage their management, finance projects and develop the sector. .

The fund, valued at 3 billion dirhams, contributes to the development of investments by interested entrepreneurs and private companies, and helps finance and develop future space activities and projects. It engages the private sector, particularly in the field of remote sensing and communications, while the UAE Space Agency plays a role in supporting the sector by enhancing its readiness and developing capabilities by creating investment opportunities.

As part of its programs and projects, the fund seeks to establish an academy to improve the skills of engineers in the field of satellite development, a space data collection and a commercial archive to support small companies with expertise and contracts to ensure their work. In projects developed by the Fund.

On September 22, United Arab Emirates-based satellite communications solutions provider Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) announced that its government arm YGS has received an AED 18.7 billion contract from the country’s government to provide telecommunications services via satellite. Satellites, under which Al Yah will provide space capability in satellites and managed services for a period of 17 years.

The mandate covers services related to the operation, maintenance and technical management of terrestrial satellite systems and substations, which the company currently provides under a separate contract to the government. The “Order” replaces two agreements between the UAE. The government and Yahsat, namely the Satellite Capability Services Agreement (CSA) and Managed Services Mandate (MSM), both of which expire in November and December 2026, respectively.

The UAE’s space economy consists of ten sectors that provide the country’s largest investment potential, including space mining, space stations, space companies, sustainability and recycling in space, settlements, space tourism, space manufacturing and academia.

Last year, the UAE launched the country’s first Economic Space Zone in Masdar to establish an integrated business system that supports startups and small and medium enterprises, and contributes to building national capabilities in space and economic development. Fifty years.

In the coming period, the UAE will see quality projects in the space sector. After the success of astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s longest space flight in Arab history, the country has been working on launching several space missions to achieve the country’s aspirations. For participation in scientific research and manned research projects.

The UAE continues its diligence in designing, manufacturing and operating advanced satellites designated for Earth observation purposes, including the “Mohammed Bin Zayed Saad” satellite to be launched next year, and work on the “Rashid Explorer 2” mission. The UAE’s next mission is to design and build “Explorer Rasheed”, one of the most advanced spacecraft of its size, to become the first Emirati and Arab explorer to reach lunar orbit and reach the moon. Before attempting to land on the “Hakuto-R” lander.

The UAE continues to work on the Emirati spacecraft that will travel 3.6 billion kilometers, during which it will reach the planet Venus and seven asteroids in the solar system, before making a historic landing on the last asteroid. In its five-year journey.