Abu Dhabi: UAE space industry leaders addressed international peers at the 31st Space Symposium in Colorado, US last week. Heads of the UAE Space Agency, Thuraya, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) gave an overview on the developments of the space sector in the UAE.
Dr Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency said the agency is working on raising space awareness in the UAE and on encouraging the brightest and best talent to work in the space sector. He said the agency’s cooperation with international organisations will help build solid relationships with global space players. The space sector will contribute to economic diversification and sustainable growth in the UAE, Al Ahbabi said.
The UAE Mars project that was introduced by officials at the event received support.
The UAE Space Agency plans to encourage the advancement of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that work in the space and satellite sector in the UAE. The UAE panel discussion also shed light on bilateral US-UAE relations and increasing trade between the two countries.
Samer Halawi, CEO of Thuraya, provided a summary of the company’s successful transformation and its leading performance over the last four years. He described how Thuraya leads innovation within the satellite industry with products like SatSleeve, and how it creates new market segments and distribution channels.
