25/05/2015
The
UAE Space Agency’s Director General, Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi,
said: "The UAE Space Agency has drafted its strategic plan in line with
the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE and the UAE
Vision 2021 aimed at establishing the UAE as one of the world’s leading
countries in time for the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the founding of the nation."
Dr.
Al Ahbabi noted that the UAE Space Agency’s focus on human development
would be a true pillar of future progress. Over the course of 2015, the
UAE Space Agency will select 15 gifted students as
an academic delegation traveling overseas and within the UAE. This
educational mission will be in partnership with the Ministry of
Presidential Affairs and the Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) Fund. The UAE Space Agency will work with educational
and academic bodies to use the concept of space as an inspiration and
encouragement for students to embark on the study of science and
technology in order to contribute to the UAE’s journey toward space.
Dr.
Al Ahbabi also revealed that the agency is working on the establishment
of the first Space Research Centre in the Middle East. The centre,
which will cost nearly AED 100 million over five years,
is the result of a strategic partnership between the UAE Space Agency,
UAE University and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
represented by the ICT Fund. The centre will act as an incubator for
space research and innovation at the federal level. To
that end, the UAE Space Agency will coordinate with a number of
agencies to implement the Emirates Mobile Observatory projects, to help
enrich research and innovation in the field of space.
The
UAE Space Agency indicated that the strategic plan was part of an
overall vision of "proudly crafting the future of the United Arab
Emirates as a leader in space, and to inspire future generations
for the benefit of the nation and humankind." This goal is backed by
its mission in organising and guiding the space sector, contributing to
the national economy and sustainable development, preparing generations
of highly skilled professionals, and developing
space research, programmes and strategic partnerships.
The
UAE Space Agency’s strategic plan consists of four main objectives. The
first is to develop and guide a world-class national space sector that
serves the country’s highest interests, contributes
to a diversified national economy and supports sustainable development.
The second is to promote scientific research and innovation to support
the state’s scientific progress in space sciences and technologies. The
third is to attract and promote national
resources to become space scientists and technology pioneers. The
Agency’s fourth objective is to build and enhance international
cooperation and partnership in a manner that serves the national space
sector and that provides administrative services with high
quality standards and transparency.
The
UAE Space Agency will create international partnerships to develop the
national space sector in order to contribute to and facilitate knowledge
transfers of Space technology. The agency also aims
to represent the UAE in international conventions and programmes, the
application of space technology, as well as contributing to space
conferences and seminars within and outside the UAE. Moreover, the
Agency will lend a helping hand to the tech sector in
utilising space science and technology in the UAE. It will also provide
consultation and technical support for all space sector stakeholders in
the UAE.
Within
the framework of those objectives, the strategic plan will be built on
five pillars: Emirati pride, integrity, excellence, commitment,
cooperation and innovation.
The
UAE Space Agency’s plan contains a number of initiatives, programmes
and activities that the Agency team will implement. To that end, key
performance indicators have been put in place to match real-world
performance with the goals of each initiative and program. Among the
most important initiatives is working with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space
Centre and the Hope Probe team to deliver the Mars orbiter project on
time, within budget and in accordance with industry
best-practices.
The
UAE Space Agency’s programmes concentrate on creating the
organisational and legal framework for the space sector as well as its
development and guidance. Moreover, these programs will support national
efforts in the space sector, develop youth talent and increase public
awareness about space.
Ex-
NASA scientist and Apollo missions team member Dr. Farouk El-Baz said:
"I would like to congratulate all citizens of the United Arab Emirates
for what has been achieved by this young nation in less
than half a century.
"Many
people may not know that the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan, cared greatly about space and the scientific results
achieved from the Apollo trips."
El-Baz
highlighted that he first met the late Sheikh Zayed in June 1974
following the end of the Appollo lunar exploration mission. He went on
to meet Sheikh Zayed two more times along with astronauts
from the Apollo missions to explain their missions.
He
added: "UAE leaders have continued to be interested in identifying the
secrets of the universe through space expeditions. The most important
thing that becomes clear from all of the above is that
the UAE intends to realise the hopes of Arabs everywhere."
Samer
Halawi, CEO of Thuraya Telecommunications Company, underlined Thuraya’s
commitment to supporting the UAE Space Agency. Mr. Halawi commented on
the inauguration of the UAE Space Agency strategic
plan, saying: "We are proud to be part of the UAE’s effort to place
itself among the leading countries for satellite technology and the
overall space sector. We strongly believe that the UAE is ready to lead
the way."
He
added: "The UAE has come a long way in the space sector. Thuraya
Telecommunications provides mobile satellite communication and data
services to 160 countries. There is also YahSat for satellite
communications, data transfer and broadcasting services, in addition to
the Dubai Sat System. All of these achievements lead us to believe that
the UAE will continue develop its abilities here on Earth and will have
a valuable contribution to space science
in order to serve humanity, which will earn the UAE pride of place in
the international space sector."
Yahsat
CEO Masood. M. Sharif Mahmoud commented: "Space is proving to be a
major economic driver here in the UAE, and for nations elsewhere.
Through the UAE Space Agency, the country has developed a
long-term strategic plan to create a solid and sustainable foundation
for advanced space innovation and exploration – a plan of which we are
proud to be part.
''We
remain confident that our collective industry experience and
cutting-edge technology will continue to provide an excellent platform
to launch the next phase of growth for the industry across the
Middle East. This is only the start of the UAE’s satellite and space
adventure, and Yahsat is wholly committed to the rest of the journey."
The
UAE Space Agency will join the international space community to support
space exploration and the international scientific community. The
Agency will also oversee the development of the space sector
in the UAE through the management and coordination of space-related
activities.
The
UAE Space Agency has developed its strategy in support of three main
objectives stipulated by Decree No. 1 of 2014 issued by the His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the President of UAE. That
legal decree established the UAE Space Agency as a federal authority
reporting directly to the Cabinet with financial and administrative
independence. These three objectives comprise the development of the UAE
Space sector, the development of policies for
space-related activities and the promotion of space projects that will
benefit the UAE economy.
The
UAE Space Programme focuses on utilising local space technology,
enabling Emirati scientists and engineers to focus on knowledge
transfers, and establishing a basis for an integrated educational
structure. Led by the wise vision of the UAE leadership, this vision
aims at developing human capital in industrial, research and academic
institutions that are the basis upon which sustainable development is
built.
The
UAE Space Agency indicated that the efforts made towards capacity
building would set an example and outline the initial features of the
UAE’s experience in the space sector. Under the supervision
of a national authority, this advancement in space technology will be
employed to serve various development programmes. The Hope Probe to Mars
is one such example of a scientific platform for future development in
the space sector.
In
line with UAE’s first steps in space, the UAE Space Agency will
continue in its efforts to attract talented students in the UAE in order
to nurture their talents in the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).The UAE’s initial steps will include
contributions to satellite technology as well as working with agencies
like NASA and European Space Agency to train the new generation of
engineers. Building on these investments, the
UAE will be able to realise its development goals.
The
UAE Space Agency’s strategy to discover these talents will include
invitations to apply for research scholarships and awards for sharing
ideas, designs, experiences, missions and goals. Likewise,
the agency will empower UAE students to consistently achieve success in
astronomy and space in advanced countries such as the United States,
European countries, Republic of Korea and Japan, through educational
institutions and regional agencies.
Virgin
Galactic CEO George Whitesides said: "We applaud the initiatives of the
UAE Space Agency as it officially launches today. Space offers the
opportunity for inspiration, discovery and progress.
The aerospace industry is driving economic growth and technological
innovation around the world, and the UAE is at the forefront of these
trends."
The
inaugural Airbus Little Engineer Space Workshop will challenge some 100
students aged 15 - 17 to carry out a simulation of a launch mission to
space. The workshop focuses on introducing students
to the world of space exploration and enhancing their understanding of
the benefits and applications of space technology. Over the course of
four hours, students will assemble and launch a rocket, set up a base
and establish communications. In addition to
its direct scientific applications, Airbus Little Engineer Space
Workshops will help students practice soft skills including teamwork,
communication, critical thinking, public speaking and creativity.
The
Airbus Group Little Engineer initiative aims at instilling a passion
for science at an early age and encouraging students to enter science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields
through a series of exciting, hands-on workshops.
The
workshops will also be offered as part of the Global Space &
Satellite Forum 2015, which is officially hosted by the UAE Space Agency
and will continue for three days at ADNEC.
The
UAE plays a key role in the advancement of space activities in the
region Francois Auque, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Space, said: "The
UAE, in a very short span of time, has played a key role
in the advancement of space activities in the region. As the UAE
embarks on a historic mission to Mars, we are convinced that it will
become a major contributor to the development of space technologies for
the future. This leap forward is poised to create
a legacy that will benefit generations to come not just in the
Emirates, but across the Middle East region. As an organisation with
technical know-how and a long-term commitment to this region, it was
only natural for us to collaborate with the UAE Space Agency
and introduce the Airbus Little Engineer initiative here to make a
lasting impact and instil a passion for science and technology among the
youth of this nation."
The
UAE Space agency has organised a mini museum in cooperation with the
Global Space and Satellite Forum, which aims at enhancing knowledge
about the space
industry by shedding light on space adventures.
The
little museum, carried out along the side-lines of the launch of the
UAE Space Agency Strategic Plan, coincides with the 40th anniversary of
the Apollo-Soyuz
Missions and the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Mir Space
Station. The museum highlights the efforts of these missions and their
contributions to human knowledge.
The
museum showcases models of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project missions in
addition to original tools used during the missions including headsets, a
USSR stamped
document signed by Alexey Leonev, and the Fisher Space Pen. The Museum
includes letters written by the astronaut Donald Deke Slayton and
plastic and glass models of the Apollo 18 and Soyuz 19 spacecraft.
Earlier
this month, the UAE revealed the scientific and technical details and
timeline of the UAE Hope Probe, which will be launched to orbit and
study Mars
and is scheduled to arrive in 2021, coinciding with the 50th
anniversary of the UAE’s founding. The probe will be made by a team of
Emirati engineers and scientists in cooperation with prestigious
scientific and research centres around the world.
The
UAE project to explore Mars is the first Arab project of its kind, and
will demonstrate that the Arab world is capable of enriching
civilisation and human
knowledge. The Hope Probe will also prove that enthusiasm, confidence
and ambition can lead to success, despite the hardships the Arab world
is facing. It is also a real model to be followed by other nations and
to inspire the people of the Middle East.
The
Hope Probe will stand as a symbol of hope and as a source of
inspiration for new generations to look for a future filled with
opportunity.
Dr.
Charles Elachi, Director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, said:
"The UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars will not only advance human scientific
knowledge and
strengthen the UAE’s technological capabilities; it will also provide
inspiration to all the young people in the UAE and throughout the Arab
world "
The UAE Space Agency is hosting the Global Space & Satellite Forum (GSSF) 2015. Taking place in Abu Dhabi from 26 - 27 May, the 5th GSSF will bring together
more than 400 C-level executives, senior decision makers and government officials from the space and satellite sector.
The
event will discuss topics such as space technology applications,
innovative solutions, low-cost satellite developments such as miniature
satellites, and
how satellite systems are improving lives – ranging from life-saving
developments in disaster management to the delivery of entertainment
media via handheld consumer devices.
