The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) and the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) have agreed to share space situational awareness (SSA) services, UAE’s national news agency WAM reported.
The agreement was signed at the 32nd Space Symposium currently held in Colorado by Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, the UAESA Chairman, and US Air Force Major General Clinton E. Crosier, USSTRATCOM Director of Plans and Policy.
“We are proud to sign this important agreement that further solidifies the bilateral UAE and US space relationship and will contribute to the protection of important assets of both countries in orbit,” said Al Romaithi.
“Not only does it represent a joint commitment to space safety and security, but it also represents yet another mission area in which the United States and United Arab Emirates are forging an ever stronger partnership,” said Crosier.
The aim of the agreement is to enhance awareness and increase safety of spaceflight operations by sharing information, crucial for launch support, satellite man oeuvre planning, support for on-orbit anomalies, and on-orbit conjunction assessments.
The US already shares space situational awareness data with ten other nations. STRATCOM also shares information with two intergovernmental organizations the European Space Agency and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites and more than 50 commercial satellite entities.
The UAE Space Agency is a federal agency that was created under Federal Law by Decree No. 1 of 2014. The space sector includes all projects, activities and programs related to outer space.
The main aims of the UAE Space Agency are:
- To organize, regulate and support the space sector in the country and to enhance its position in this area.
- Encourage the development and use of space science and technology in the country and advance within the industry.
- The establishment of international partnerships in the space sector and to enhance the role of the state and its position in the space sector.
- Contribute to the diversification of the national economy through the space sector
- Raise awareness of the importance of the space technologies, enhance national capabilities and encourage peaceful application of space research.
