By Prof. Bill Michael
Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi returned to the UAE after spending 6 months, which is the longest period spent by an Arab astronaut at the International Space Station in Hungary, participating in 200 experiments and scientific studies in partnership with several space agencies, led by NASA, Al Neyadi’s role was central in all procedures conducted during this period, in addition to his spacewalk, we are facing a pioneering experience for the Emirates by all standards.
The UAE has exceeded the value of its investments in the space sector, its sciences, and logistics of 22 billion dirhams, which includes satellite communications systems in addition to the exploration of land and space, not to mention data transmission services, television broadcasting via space, and mobile satellite communications.
The figures indicate an increase in the volume of UAE commercial spending on the space economy, reaching 10.9 billion dirhams over 7 years by the end of 2020, at a time when contractual agreements for space services and applications witnessed a growth of 40% during 2020, the sources mention that the UAE space economy includes 10 sectors provide major investment potential for the UAE , including the sectors of space mining and space stations, sustainability and recycling in space, settlements, space tourism, manufacturing and space academies.
In addition, the UAE, in a step that reflects a forward-looking vision, announced in 2023 the establishment of a strategic fund specialized in supporting the UAE space sector, with a value of 3 billion dirhams, whose mission is to provide financial resources and the governance of its management, in a manner consistent with the vision of the Emirates in finding innovative solutions, to finance Projects in partnership with the private sector, and also launched in 2023 the first economic space zone in the Emirates embraced by “Masdar” city to establish an integrated business that contributes to the economic growth of the Emirates over the next fifty years.
It is worth noting that the UAE space economy is witnessing promising growth prospects, as figures indicate that 57 companies and space entities are now operating in the UAE and that the volume of support from the public and private sectors for the UAE space program exceeded $5.4 billion, and logistics services exceeded three billion dirhams.
The interest of the wise leadership of the UAE in space and its sciences has made it a regional hub for space services, events, and educational programs specialized in space.