French Space Delegation Visits The UAE
To Boost Space Sector Partnerships
A high-level delegation representing leading French space companies visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from June 3 to June 4, 2024, as part of a ‘French Space Tour’ organised by Business France, the national agency that facilitates the international development of the French economy.
The mission, a testament to the mutual benefits of international collaboration, aimed to explore new projects and cultivate strong alliances in the burgeoning space sectors in France and the UAE.
The second edition of this fruitful business expedition witnessed the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) hosting strategic sessions for the French delegation, fostering a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas and opportunities.
On the first day, the delegation was received at the Dubai office of the UAE Space Agency, where the UAE Space Agency and the MBRSC took the lead in facilitating thematic presentations and a VIP journey. This proactive approach demonstrated the UAE’s strong commitment to collaboration and the shared vision for space exploration.
In The UAE
In their quest for new opportunities, the French delegation explored key programmes and missions while visiting MBRSC in Dubai. They then proceeded to Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, where they engaged with various R&D laboratories to discover the latest innovations in robotics, drone technologies, and artificial intelligence. This comprehensive engagement reflects the depth of their interest and the potential for future collaborations.
Later, the delegation visited Space 42, the newly formed entity resulting from the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, which offers AI-powered geospatial and mobility solutions, Earth observation, satellite communications, IoT, and business intelligence services.
Tailored to facilitate direct B2B engagements, the mission provided French enterprises a platform to showcase innovative solutions and engage in substantive discussions on critical topics in the space industry, including satellite technology, space exploration, digital transformation, and space operations security.
Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said: “This collaborative effort underscores the UAE’s dedication to advancing our space capabilities and nurturing international partnerships. The French Space Tour demonstrates the strength of our bilateral relations and our shared vision for pushing the boundaries of space exploration and innovation.”
Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC, added: “The dynamic partnership between France and the UAE exemplifies the power of unity, collaboration, and shared vision in propelling progress and innovation.
“The French Space Tour embodies this shared aspiration, serving as an exchange of knowledge and expertise and a beacon of mutual growth and progress in space science.”
Growing Market
The UAE’s space market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by strategic investments and innovative projects.
With $10.79 billion (AED39.63 billion) invested in the sector, the UAE has successfully launched 22 satellites, with eight more in development.
The country has seen a 29.5% increase in commercial spending on space, reflecting its commitment to advancing its space capabilities. Emirati satellites meet 80% of the nation’s needs, providing internet, satellite broadcasting, and mobile communication solutions.
Moreover, the UAE boasts four astronauts who have collectively spent over 4,000 hours aboard the International Space Station. The space sector in the UAE employs more than 2,800 individuals across 80 enterprises, institutions, and infrastructures, including international companies and startups.
Key Emirati initiatives such as the UAE National Space Programme, part of the National Space Strategy, aim to sustainably develop the commercial space industry.
Future projects like the UAE Space Agency’s Sirb Constellation and the GNSSaS mission underscore the UAE’s role in the global space industry.
Dubai-based MBRSC leads efforts in human spaceflight missions through the UAE Astronaut Programme and Earth observation satellite development through the UAE Satellite Programme, which includes the high-resolution imaging satellite MBZ-SAT, set for launch in October 2024.
Global Collaboration
Additionally, MBRSC collaborates internationally, including working to provide the Emirates Airlock, the science and crew airlock module for NASA’s upcoming Gateway Lunar Space Station.
French expertise in the space sector is robust and strategically positioned to address the needs of the rapidly evolving global space market.
With new digital technologies and the ‘Newspace’ movement, domains such as environmental monitoring, telecommunications, transportation, mobility, and healthcare are undergoing significant transformations. In this dynamic context, where new public and private space actors emerge, Europe remains a leading power in space.
Axel Baroux, French Trade & Invest Commissioner to the UAE, said: “France is the historical driver of this European success, thanks to a highly efficient space sector steered by the CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales), bridging the realms of research and industry.
“French space capabilities are comprehensive, encompassing major industrial prime contractors, intermediate-sized enterprises, SMEs, and numerous startups, making it a critical player in the global space industry.”
Featured image: CNES, the French Space Agency, will host the SpaceOps workshop from June 18 to 24, 2024. France is a leading player in the global space industry. Credit: Aldoria
