The addition
of the Space Pavilion at the Dubai Airshow
2019 comes at an ideal time, given the increasing
investment in the space sector. In particular,
2019 is an exciting year for the UAE space
industry. The UAE partnered with Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan,
Lebanon, Sudan and Kuwait to form the Arab
Space Cooperation Group with the shared goal
of advancing the region’s space industry.
The UAE
reached another historic milestone this year,
as Hazzaa Al Mansoori became the first Emirati
astronaut to reach space on 25 September.
Al Mansoori stayed at the ISS for eight days,
studying the effects of microgravity compared
with gravity on Earth. Previously a pilot,
he flew the UAE Air Force’s F-16 Block
60 and was one of the first Arab pilots to
take part in Dubai Airshow’s celebrations
on the 50th anniversary of UAE Armed Forces.
The Middle
East’s investment in space is not limited
to the UAE, with Saudi Arabia announcing the
establishment of a national space agency lead
by His Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud; the first Arab astronaut
into space in 1985 who assisted in the deployment
of the Arab Satellite Communications Organisation
with NASA. The University of Kuwait has also
been involved in specific projects directly
with NASA and the KISR (Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research) has alluded to the potential
of a home-grown agency.
The Dubai
Airshow will have a huge focus on the space
sector again in 2019, with an exhibition area
and two dedicated conferences produced in
collaboration with the UAE Space Agency: Women
in Space and Tech Talks. The two conferences
will focus on promoting global collaboration
to deliver economical access to space, future
missions and projects within the GCC while
providing a global outlook into investment
and innovation. Other conversations will focus
on the New Space economy and the redefining
of business models to boost space mission
success and drive down costs, along with discussions
on developing the next generation space talents
through STEM education projects.
Keynote
speakers include H.E. Dr. Ahmed Belhoul
Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education
and Advanced Skills, Chairman, UAE Space Agency;
Simonetta Di Pippo, Director, United Nations
Office for Outer Space Affairs; Dan Hart,
President and CEO, Virgin Orbit; and Apollo
15 Command Module Pilot Col. Al Worden, USAF-Ret,
who returns after the success of his appearance
in 2017.
“This
is an exciting year for the space industry
in the UAE. As a nation, we are proud to have
made historic advancements in the space industry
propelling the nation forward,”
said H.E. Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser
Al Ahbabi, Director General of UAE Space Agency.
“As we progress toward a knowledge-based
economy, we are eager to develop new partnerships
with different aerospace entities and showcase
our initiatives to interested parties from
around the world at the Dubai Airshow’s
Space Pavilion.”
Women
in Space and Tech Talks will take place 18
– 19 November during the Dubai Airshow,
which runs from 17-21 November at DWC, Dubai
Airshow Site. For more information or to register
please visit www.spaceuae.aero.
About
Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East -
Dubai Airshow is firmly established as a key
event on the international aerospace calendar.
The next edition takes place at its purpose
built location - DWC, Dubai Airshow Site,
17-21 November 2019. The Dubai Airshow is
the foremost platform to promote any trends
to discuss issues that will help develop the
Middle East aviation industry.