The Director of the UAE Space Agency, Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, announced that the UAE has a long-term strategy and plan in the field of space, and that 11 countries have expressed interest in the UAE initiative for Arab cooperation in the field of space.

“If you look at our space program, you can see that many satellites are in the field of telecommunications, remote sensing of the Earth, we have space education and a regulation in the space industry,” he said.

He added: «As a space agency, we have published a national strategy for the next 15 years, and the government has approved national legislation in the field of space, rules that protect investors or activities in the space sector, the leadership of the country has defined the future space space for the State».

“We are sure there will be more projects, because we have a long-term plan, and we will be part of the development of the aerospace industry not only in the UAE, but internationally,” he said.

He explained that «the UAE is currently taking the initiative to help other countries in the region in the field of space».

"We are working on an initiative launched by the UAE for Arab cooperation in the field of space. There are many activities in the field of space that can help our countries become better and realize the dreams of young people."

In response to a question about the countries that have expressed their willingness to join the initiative, Al-Ahbabi said: «The initiative is open to all, and we have published and announced this year, and currently there are 11 countries have expressed interest in the initiative, and intends to cooperate in the initial stage, as the UAE promised to finance the launch of a satellite For this group of countries. ”

“The satellite will be designed in the UAE, with the help of Arab scientists and engineers,” Ahbabi said. “The first is that the satellite project will become a platform where people from all over the region will come together to work together. The satellite is ready for launch, not only for the UAE, but for the entire region, with 100% Emirati funding. ”

The UAE sent Hazza Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, to the International Space Station on September 25, aboard the spacecraft «Soyuz MS15», where he spent eight days in space, during which he conducted many scientific experiments.

Al-Mansouri conducted 16 scientific experiments, including six on the International Space Station for eight days, in an almost zero-gravity environment. The experiments included the study of the interaction of human body biomarkers inside the station compared to the Earth before, during and after the flight, the first time this type of research will be conducted on a person from the Arab region, which includes physical, biological and chemical experiments.

It is noteworthy that the UAE Space Agency participated, last September, as part of the official delegation of the UAE in the meeting of senior officials of the Arab Economic and Social Council in Egypt, in order to discuss the possibility of activating the role of the Arab Space Cooperation Group.

Al Ahbabi reviewed the stages of the development of the UAE space sector from vision to reality, and the projects of the Emirates Space Agency, and its role in the development of this vital sector, through the strengthening of specialized human cadres and activate international partnerships, and the development of laws and regulations governing the sector in the country, in addition to the UAE initiative to activate the work of the group Arab Space Cooperation and the Arab Satellite 813, funded by the Emirates Space Agency.

Al-Ahbabi said that the UAE seeks to strengthen Arab cooperation to enter the world space race, under the umbrella of the Arab Space Cooperation Group, which will unite the Arab efforts in this area, and enhance its representation in international forums.

16

Scientific experiment, conducted by

Hazza Mansouri, among them

6 on board station

International Space, in

Zero gravity environment

Approximately.