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United Arab Emirates Space Agency

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United Arab Emirates Space Agency
وكالة الإمارات للفضاء
UAE Space Agency Logo
Agency overview
AbbreviationUAESA
Formed2014; 10 years ago (2014)
TypeSpace agency
JurisdictionUnited Arab Emirates
HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
AdministratorAhmad Belhoul Al Falasi
Websitespace.gov.ae

The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) (Arabic: وكالة الإمارات للفضاء translit: wikālat al-Imārāt l-lifaḍā') is the space agency of the United Arab Emirates government responsible for the development of the country's space industry. It was created in 2014 and is responsible for developing and regulating the space sector in the UAE.

The agency is charged with the growth of the sector through partnerships, academic programmes and investments in R&D, commercial initiatives, and driving space science research and exploration.[1] The law defined that the main headquarters of the Agency are to be in Abu Dhabi and have a branch in Dubai. The Board of Directors may establish branches or other offices within and outside the state.

Mission[edit]

Confronting the UAE's national challenges and enhancing the country’s competitiveness through space missions, and a supportive legislative environment.

Vision[edit]

A regionally pioneering national space sector that supports the UAE’s competitiveness and stimulates strategic and vital sectors.

History[edit]

His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan meeting with the NASA team responsible for the Apollo moon landing in the 1970s, sparking a national focus on space.

The United Arab Emirates' interest in astronomy and space sciences dates back to the 1970s when His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met with the NASA team responsible for the Apollo moon landing. This encounter sparked a national focus on space, eventually leading to the birth of a national space sector with the establishment of Thuraya Communications Company in 1997 and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) in 2007.

In February 2006, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, aiming to promote space science and scientific research in the UAE. In April 2015, it was merged with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

The UAE Space Agency was established by federal decree in 2014 with the goal of developing the national space sector. The agency is responsible for establishing partnerships, assisting academic programs, advancing national and regional space exploration, and investing in research, development, and commercial space projects.

The UAE uses advanced technology in satellite communications services, with satellites in orbit specializing in various applications: mobile communications, satellite photography, television broadcasting, Internet, communications, radio, and military purposes.

The space sector is one of the strategic areas outlined by the Higher Policy for Science, Technology, and Innovation. It focuses on the exploration of celestial bodies, the development of communication and satellite technology, and the application of the latest space technologies for terrestrial uses.

Budget[edit]

The space agency has gathered about $5.2 billion of funding from government, private, and semi-private entities.[2]

Strategic programme[edit]

  1. Attracting Talent and Enhancing R&D:
    • Attract quality competencies and enhance productivity in research and development within space programs.
  2. Enabling Space Services and Applications:
    • Promote the space services sector and its applications, encouraging their use to improve government efficiency and private sector competitiveness.
  3. Creating a Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment:
    • Establish a regulatory framework that attracts businesses and increases investment opportunities in the space sector.
  4. Developing Space Capabilities:
    • Develop space capabilities and facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the space sector to other industries.
  5. Enhancing Space Technology Infrastructure:
    • Improve the infrastructure for space technology to enable private sector innovation and competitiveness.
  6. Governance and Legislative Support:
    • Govern the space legislative environment to support a sustainable national economy.
  7. Building International Partnerships:
    • Build a system of international partnerships to facilitate knowledge transfer and enhance the country’s capabilities in science and technology.

UAE Space Agency initiatives[edit]

Animation of Emirates Mars Mission
Around Sun
Around Mars
   Emirates Mars Mission ·   Sun ·    Earth ·   Mars

The Agency is involved in directing, investing in, and promoting a number of initiatives. The UAE has launched prior to the existence of the Agency commercial satellites constructed by EADS (YahSat 1A and 1B), Boeing (Thuraya 1, 2 and 3) and MBRSC DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2, developed as part of a technology transfer programme with South Korea's Satrec Initiative, resulting in an existing space sector investment of some $5.5 billion.[3]

Space Science Research Centre, Al-Ain[edit]

The $27 million Al-Ain based Space Research Centre was announced on 25 May 2015. The centre is intended as an incubator for space research, development, and innovation. It will be involved in coordinating with a number of agencies, including the Emirates Mobile Observatory.[3]

Emirates Mars Mission[edit]

Main article: Emirates Mars Mission

The Emirates Mars Mission is being undertaken by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, a Government of Dubai entity.[4] The UAE successfully launched the Mars Hope mission to Mars on 19 July 2020. Mission goals include creating the first holistic diurnal picture of Mars' atmosphere with three science instruments mounted on an orbiter which is aimed to reach Mars orbit in early 2021. On 9 February 2021, it successfully put its probe into orbit around Mars.[5] The Centre employs 75 people which the UAE government hopes to double by 2022.[6]

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced on June 25th 2024 they succefully completed phase 2 of the Mars mission. The annoncement came after a 45 day simulated Mars journey at US Space Agency NASA. During that time Dr Al Romaithi conducts 18 scientific experiments under UAE Analog Programme.[7]

Emirates Lunar Mission[edit]

Main article: Emirates Lunar Mission

On 29 September 2020, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the UAE's uncrewed mission to the Moon in 2024, as the country was seeking to expand its space sector. Sheikh Mohammed also said that the rover named "Rashid", after his father who is credited with modernizing Dubai, will cover "areas not yet reached in previous exploration missions".[8] On 14 April 2021, MBRSC announced that the schedule had been moved up to send the rover to the Moon by 2022, rather than 2024.[9] On 25 April 2023, seconds before an attempted landing, communication with the lander was lost.[10] The ispace team confirmed that the spacecraft had crashed into the Moon and was thus destroyed.[11][12]

Graduate degree programme in Advanced Space Science[edit]

In May 2015, an MoU was signed by Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Orbital ATK Inc to create a Degree Programme in Advanced Space Science, the first such course of study in the Middle East. These three entities, with co-ordination and oversight from the UAE Space Agency, will launch the academic programme at Masdar Institute.

The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt[edit]

Main article: MBR Explorer

In May 2023, UAE Space Agency announced a mission to the asteroid belt, that is planned to be launched in 2028. It will visit 7 asteroids 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, 88055, 23871, 59980, and attempt to land on 269 Justitia in 2034.[13][14][15]

The mission aims to add to our understanding of the foundation of our solar system and the presence and origins of the building blocks of life found in the asteroid belt, as well as lay the ground for possible future resource extraction from asteroids.

About The Mission[edit]
  • Unveiling the Secrets of the Asteroid Belt: The Emirates Mission (EMA)
    • The EMA is a groundbreaking mission venturing into the main asteroid belt to explore and study multiple asteroids. It's not just about scientific discovery, but also a catalyst for the UAE's space industry.
    • EMA delves into the origins and composition of our solar system, searching for the fundamental building blocks of life within the asteroid belt. Additionally, the mission paves the way for potential future resource extraction from these celestial bodies.
  • Fueling Innovation and Growth
    • EMA is committed to fostering a thriving space sector in the UAE. By allocating 50% of the project to local companies, it aims to create substantial economic opportunities, spur Emirati startups, and attract international partnerships and investments. This ambitious endeavor is supported by the nearly $1 billion UAE Space Fund.
  • A 13-Year Journey of Discovery
    • The mission spans 13 years, with a six-year spacecraft development phase followed by a seven-year voyage to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars. The "MBR Explorer" spacecraft will conduct a series of close flybys of seven asteroids, gathering invaluable data during these encounters.
  • Launching into the Unknown
    • Scheduled for a March 2028 launch within a narrow three-week window, the MBR Explorer embarks on a 5-billion-kilometer journey. Gravity assist maneuvers from Venus, Earth, and Mars will optimize its trajectory for the flyby campaign. The first asteroid encounter is expected in February 2030, marking the beginning of an extensive exploration within the asteroid belt.

Strategic Objectives[edit]

  • Leverage UAE private sector
  • Train and prepare UAE capabilities
  • Establish international partnerships
  • Develop academic engineering and scientific programs
  • Transfer knowledge and know-how

Mission Implementation Goals[edit]

  • Design a unique mission and should aim for advances in fundamental science and demonstrations of technology
  • Educate through outreach programs
  • Sustain the UAE's outer space exploration program
  • Contribute through UAE engineers and scientists
  • Develop the science and technology commercial sector
  • Create sustainable science and technology initiatives

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Objectives | UAE Space Agency". www.space.gov.ae. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  2. ^ Greene, Kate (30 March 2017). "Why the United Arab Emirates is Building a Space Program from Scratch". Slate.
  3. ^ a b "UAE space agency unveils ambitious plans". gulfnews.com. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  4. ^ "UAE to build new space research centre in Al Ain". 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Emirates Mars Mission: Hope spacecraft enters orbit". BBC News. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  6. ^ SCHRECK, ASAM (25 May 2015). "United Arab Emirates aims for the stars with new plans for a national space agency". Associated Press. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  7. ^ "'Marswalk' completes UAE pilot's 45-day simulated Mars journey". gulfnews.com. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  8. ^ "United Arab Emirates plans to launch mission to moon in 2024". Los Angeles Times. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  9. ^ "UAE sets new ambitious timetable for launch of moon rover". ABC News.
  10. ^ Victor, Daniel (25 April 2023). "Moon Landing Updates: What Happened During Ispace's Moon Landing Attempt". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Status Update on ispace HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander". ispace. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Japan Spacecraft Believed to Have Crashed on Moon During Landing". Bloomberg.com. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Ambitious Emirati Mission Seeks to Visit 7 Asteroids and Land on the Big Red One". Gizmodo. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  14. ^ "United Arab Emirates and LASP announce new mission to explore the asteroid belt". Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  15. ^ Jones, Andrew (12 May 2023). "UAE's ambitious asteroid mission will tour 7 space rocks". Space.com. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
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