Amna Al Kitbi (Dubai)
Salem Al Qubaisi, the general manager of the UAE Space Agency, revealed at a press conference on Tuesday that several project updates will be announced during the Dubai Airshow in November, with updates to cover the National Project for Radar Satellites (Swarm), in addition to the Emirates mission project to explore Venus and the asteroid belt in 2028.
The agency will announce the results of the "SAS" programme during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). The programme provides opportunities for entrepreneurs and researchers to receive consultations and financial support to develop space applications to face the challenges of climate change.
"We will also announce soon the opening of a new economic space area in one of the emirates, bringing the total to three dedicated areas: One in Masdar City and the second in the Dubai Airports Security Complex," Al Qubaisi said.
The UAE Space Agency is seeking to develop the "Economic Space Zones" programme to support start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as stimulate the national space sector by providing economic initiatives in collaboration with various partners in the country.
Positive Impact
Al Qubaisi explained that this programme has a significant positive impact in developing the country's promising space industry and consolidating the UAE's position as a global centre for talent, investment, and innovation. He stressed that capacity building is vital for the sustainable growth of the knowledge-based national economy, and space economic zones are a significant step forward in this regard.
The programme is expected to provide a business-friendly ecosystem with world-class infrastructure and competitive services to support the establishment of new companies in the field of space technology. "Our agreement with Masdar City is the first among many agreements, and we intend to quickly move forward to establish more startup centres nationwide and transform early-stage ideas into commercially viable projects," he added.
Ambitious Projects
Al Qubaisi confirmed that since its establishment, the agency has played a significant role in developing the space sector in the UAE, implementing ambitious space projects.
These initiatives support national goals, develop national competencies and skills in the industry, contribute to the development of space-related technology and scientific research, and enhance international cooperation and expand global partnerships.
Regarding the "813 Moon" project, the director of the UAE Space Agency said: "The project is underway, according to the schedule set with the National Centre for Space Science and Technology at the UAE University, and it is expected to be launched at the end of 2024. It will focus on remote sensing applications and analysing atmospheric and terrestrial environmental phenomena, including those related to the atmospheric and terrestrial envelopes."
First Mission
The UAE mission to explore the asteroid belt is the first-ever mission to study seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt, and it is the most advanced and ambitious Emirati scientific project to date, Al Qubaisi said.
The project will provide a large amount of valuable scientific data and information to the international scientific community, which will help deepen humanity's understanding of the properties, origins, formations, and evolution of asteroids, and open new horizons for a better understanding of the formation of our solar system.
The mission is expected to accelerate the development of the UAE's private space sector and the nation's innovation and advanced technological development capabilities, in addition to enhancing international partnerships and local investment in the space sector.
Other projects implemented by the UAE Space Agency include the Space Data Analysis Platform project, specialising in Earth observation and remote sensing, he added.
Building National Capacities
Abdullah Al Marar, Head of Space Projects Management Department at the Agency, said that 80% of the graduates of the National Space Academy work in space institutions.
The Academy's goal, according to Al Marar, is to build national capacities in space science and technology, and effectively support the UAE's ambitious space programme. "We seek to accelerate and enhance knowledge in the field of space for a group of participants, by combining academic and research practices in a unique environment that encourages and nurtures a culture of innovation in space," he explained.
The Academy's programmes were specifically designed to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and application of space engineering skills, he added.
Regarding the UAE's mission to explore the asteroid belt, Al Marar said that in the first quarter of next year, the preliminary design phase of the project will begin, followed by the detailed design phase. The entire asteroid belt mission is a 13-year process, divided into six years for the development and design of the spacecraft, and seven years for exploring the main asteroid belt and conducting a series of close maneuvers to collect first-time data about seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt, ending with the final flight and landing on the seventh asteroid, named "Justice".
He also noted that "Swarm", the national radar satellite programme, aims to develop a swarm of radar satellites to provide radar imaging around the clock and in all weather conditions. The project also includes the first Arab satellite for radar sensing.
Advanced Technology
"The programme, which extends over six years, will for the first time provide continuous data from space around the clock and in all weather conditions, using advanced technology with an imaging accuracy of less than one meter," Al Marar said.
A fleet of commercial radar satellites will be developed through the project, providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs and researchers to offer advisory and financial support, in order to develop space-based applications to help combat climate change.