The UAE Space Agency recently concluded its participation in the “Make it in the Emirates” event held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi from May 19 to 22, where it presented its significant projects, including the Space Economic Zones Programme.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in collaboration with the ADNEC Group, the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and ADNOC, featured over 500 companies from 12 essential sectors along with government officials, industry leaders, global investors, and technology innovators. The Agency took this opportunity to showcase its strategic milestones and key projects that underline its preeminent role in enhancing the national space economy and boosting the UAE’s competitive edge in research, advanced technologies, and space exploration. Furthermore, the Agency sought to identify ways to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and broaden strategic partnerships with both domestic and international entities.
His Excellency Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, the Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, remarked: “This event serves as a vital opportunity to showcase the UAE’s accomplishments in the space realm, while fostering connections between space and industrial stakeholders within a cohesive national framework that promotes localization, empowers local talent, and accelerates the transfer of knowledge and advanced technologies.”
Al Qubaisi continued: “Our participation demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to converting space innovation into a concrete catalyst for development, reinforcing the nation’s vision for a sustainable economy and enhancing its international competitiveness.”
The UAE Space Agency highlighted the Space Economic Zones Programme, designed to establish a compelling and integrated business ecosystem that caters to both local and global demands. The programme aims to assist startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), bolstering the competitiveness of firms engaged in the national space sector. The Agency also presented the various economic benefits and initiatives available through the programme.
Among those collaborating with the UAE Space Agency on the Space Economic Zones initiative were Four Earth Intelligence Environmental Consulting LLC, QuantCube Technology, AlienSense, Third Body Dynamics, and Madari Space.
The Agency also featured the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), showcasing a full-scale replica of the Hope Probe. This initiative symbolizes the UAE leadership’s vision of fostering a future rooted in knowledge and innovation, developed by local talent in partnership with international collaborators and involving components crafted by Emirati engineers.
Since entering Mars’ orbit, the Hope Probe has generated several terabytes of data, available through the Science Data Center, offering unparalleled insights into the Martian atmosphere. The EMM data has greatly contributed to the global scientific community, resulting in almost 40 research publications in esteemed international journals.
During the event, Al Qubaisi took part in a panel discussion titled Advanced Technologies and Space Manufacturing: New Horizons for the UAE’s Industrial Ecosystem. The discussion focused on utilizing advanced technology and space manufacturing to transform global supply chains, leading to significant advancements in medicine, energy, and communications. Furthermore, it addressed challenges related to infrastructure, investment, and capacity building, emphasizing the integration of the space sector with advanced manufacturing to stimulate economic growth and scientific advancement.
The UAE Space Agency’s showcase at the “Make it in the Emirates” forum illustrates its steadfast dedication to bolstering the national initiative to localize advanced industries, particularly in the space sector. Through its involvement, the Agency aims to promote collaboration with local and global partners while underscoring investment opportunities in the space industry, which further empowers the private sector, drives innovation, and enhances the contribution of the space economy to the UAE’s non-oil GDP.