The Middle East space economy, valued at $18 billion in 2024, is projected to almost double and reach $34 billion by 2030, according to the new report by Beyond Earth Ventures. The study shows that Saudi Arabia will account for nearly half of this total, driven by its $8.7 billion space economy in 2024 and a projected trajectory to $31.6 billion by 2035.
The report, titled “Space Economy Trends 2025: Navigating the Future of Space Innovation in the Middle East”, highlights the UAE as the region’s industrial anchor, advancing with new satellite launches, Abu Dhabi’s first full-cycle manufacturing hub, and upcoming Moon and asteroid missions. Oman is building launch capacity through the Etlaq Spaceport, while Bahrain is entering the sector with its first AI-powered nanosatellite and environmental payload projects — together forming a complementary Gulf space ecosystem.
Discover:
- The rise of sovereign missions and launches, with the UAE and Oman building regional launch capacity and Saudi Arabia embedding space as a Vision 2030 pillar.
- Satellite manufacturing localization, including Abu Dhabi’s first full-cycle commercial satellite facility by Space42 and ADIO.
- Advances in deep-space exploration, with the UAE preparing for a Moon landing and a 2028 asteroid belt mission.
- How AI-driven satellites, 3D-printed rocket engines, and near-space platforms are reshaping technological competitiveness.
- Growing private sector and startup participation, turning space from a government-led project into a diversified economic sector.
- The role of astronaut missions and STEM education in embedding space into national identity and talent development.
“Every indicator we track shows that the Middle East is no longer just following global space trends—it is starting to set them. From sovereign launch facilities to deep-space exploration goals, the region is moving with a speed and scale that make it impossible to ignore in the global landscape.” – Viktor Shpakovsky, MENA General Partner of Beyond Earth Ventures.
The report highlights that the Middle East is not only accelerating its presence in orbit but also redefining its role within the global space economy. By combining national ambition with regional cooperation and a growing private sector, the Gulf is positioning itself as a vital partner in international missions, a source of technological innovation, and an emerging hub for the next generation of space industries.
