Thuraya Telecommunications has welcomed a delegation from the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, at its primary gateway office in Sharjah, UAE national news agency WAM reported.

Organized in conjunction with the UAE Space Agency, the visit was an opportunity to showcase Thuraya’s communication and satellite network systems, helping to demonstrate the country’s satellite capabilities.

The NASA party, led by Badri Younes, Deputy Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, was given a guided tour by Thuraya Chief Technology Officer, Ahmed Al Shamsi. The guests were shown the operations control centre, and the antennas serving Thuraya’s satellites, and were given a detailed presentation to Thuraya’s network and portfolio of products and services.

Having seen Thuraya’s facilities first hand, the visitors also discussed potential collaboration, exploring future opportunities to work together.

Speaking at the end of the visit, Mr. Younes (photo) said: “Today’s visit was a great opportunity to see just how much Thuraya has grown in recent years, and to establish key points of contact. We enjoyed our discussions together here today. Thuraya has historically provided many agencies with tremendous service support, and we at NASA would like to work together closely too in support of our planned cooperation with the UAE Space Agency.”

The guest party also included Judith E. Baker, Vice Consul and Economic Affairs Officer at the Consulate-General of the United States of America. They were welcomed by Amal Ezzeddine, Thuraya Senior Director, Government Services, and Mubarak Al Ahbabi, UAE Space Agency Senior Specialist, System and Program.

Ezzeddine said: “It is a pleasure to support the UAE Space Agency. We have shown the strength of our current capabilities here in the UAE and around the world, and it is exciting to discuss ideas with our guests from NASA. This was an excellent opportunity to understand how Thuraya can work together in the future with NASA. We look forward to more meetings to come, and the innovation that will come from the collaborative relationship we are developing with one another.”