UAE launches strategic framework for space agency

Abu Dhabi, May 25: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday launched a strategic framework for its newly-established space agency that aims to launch satellite missions and the “first Arab unmanned probe” to Mars by 2021.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, witnessed the launch of the Strategic Plan for the UAE Space Agency in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Fince Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al hyan, and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al hyan.

“The establishment of a fully-fledged space sector in the UAE, with all necessary human resources, infrastructure and scientific research, is a primary tiol objective,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “It requires everyone involved to work as one team to establish the UAE’s leadership in this sector and to build advanced scientific capabilities in the space domain,” he said.

“The Hope Probe (to Mars) and the UAE Space Agency are milestones for the development of the UAE. Today, we are at the dawn of a new era that holds the promise of ambitious advancements; an era in which we build our tiol capacity and establish a new intertiol standing for the UAE in the space sector.”

The ceremony, held in the Abu Dhabi tiol Exhibition Centre, detailed the strategy of the UAE Space Agency with a programme including the agency’s mission, vision and priorities for the future. The event also introduced a number of initiatives and programmes being carried out in line with the agency’s four strategic goals. These UAE Space Agency initiatives will pave the way for the UAE’s entrance into the global space sector as the agency works to organise and support the space sector in the UAE.

Members of the USE royal families, ministers, representatives of government agencies, tiol leaders and representatives from intertiol space agencies toured the Space Experience and Exhibition Area, which includes a “Mini Space Museum” organised in cooperation with the Global Space and Satellite Forum (GSSF). (IANS)