The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) will be participating in the Saudi International Airshow held under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh.
The Agency will participate as part of the UAE’s official pavilion in the event organized by the Saudi Aviation Club and held at the Al Thumamah Airport from 12-14 March 2019.
The airshow is the first of its kind in KSA and is expected to attract more than 10,000 specialists and experts in the fields of aviation, defense, and space from over 200 international and regional parties. The Space Agency’s participation seeks to shed light on the most prominent strategic space projects launched by the UAE, in addition to enhancing cooperation with various relevant entities.
Throughout the event, the Agency will inform participants and visitors about the developments of the National Space Program in the UAE and of its various ambitious projects, including the Hope Probe, the first Arab Mars-exploration program under development by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) under the supervision of the Agency. In addition, the Agency will highlight the latest developments of the UAE Astronaut Program and the Mars Science City project.
The Agency will also showcase its efforts in the regulation of the space sector and its role in developing the recently-adopted UAE Space Law, which addresses a multitude of new and advanced concepts of global interest - including the organization of manned space flights, space tourism, and related activities.
His Excellency Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi (photo), Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said: “The UAE space sector has achieved a myriad of successes throughout the past few years. Our participation in the Saudi International Airshow aims to share the expertise we have gained in the process of organizing and developing the UAE space sector with our compatriots in KSA, and we hope to discuss future cooperative prospects in this field.”
“The UAE and KSA have strong and strategic relations in the field of space, and we seek to enhance these relations in the near future. This is particularly evident following the endeavors of the KSA to enhance its space exploration capabilities, and the establishment of the Saudi Space Agency in late 2018 and appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - who is a member of the UAESA Advisory Committee - as its Chairman,” Al Ahbabi added.
The Saudi International Airshow will feature participants from various fields of the aviation industry, including active figures, legislative agencies, aircraft manufacturers and operators, ground handling and equipment companies, maintenance and training services companies, and defense and space experts.
The UAE Space Agency, the first national space agency in the region, was established in 2014, and is responsible for organizing, regulating and supporting the national space sector under federal law. This includes the complete oversight and funding of space missions such as the Mars Hope Probe, the UAE’s unmanned mission to Mars.
The primary goals of the UAE Space Agency are to contribute significantly to diversification of the national economy, prepare the upcoming generation of Emiratis for leadership in the space sector through a range of capacity building programs, and raise awareness about space sciences and STEM fields among the general public. In addition, it is responsible for expanding and enhancing the UAE’s international standing in space-related fields, and for issuing policy and laws for the space sector.
