UAE’s Space Programme: An Uncertain Future
UAE has witnessed unparalleled growth in the past decade, and that holds true for its space sector too. It aims to be one of the top countries in the aerospace sector by the end of 2021. In the past 5 years, UAE has launched several space programmes and has taken several initiatives in the development and progress of space sector which has led to its growth.
The UAE, from quite some time has been seeking opportunities to explore outer space and deploy latest technology for the various application purposes which include environmental monitoring, land use and planning, security of its border and coastline and also natural resource planning. For the same, it established its space agency in 2014 for fostering, developing and regulating a sustainable and top-notch space sector in the UAE. The leaders of the UAE have realised that cooperation in space sector cannot yield them economic benefits but will also lead to strengthening of diplomatic ties at both bilateral and multilateral level because most of the countries want to develop their space program in order to tackle the long-term non-traditional security challenges; something which is bigger than the short-term political agendas and goals. Till 2019, the UAE has invested $6 billion and has tied up around 50 companies (both private and public) to develop the space sector capacity.
Being a young country aiming to develop aerospace sector, UAE in 2016 decided to create a policy for space regulation and in 2019, UAE issued the national space strategy and space law and regulations. The ultimate goal of the UAE National Space Policy to develop its space sector and thereby diversify and boost the economy of the country. The global space is witnessing considerable change especially with the increase in technology and innovation. Development of the space sector thereby also gives UAE a chance to participate in the development of technology and innovation.
The expansion of space to protect and support the other sectors has been one of the central principles of the National Space Strategy. The aerospace sector was being built with the vision that it will enhance the capabilities in the sectors such as national security; disaster and crisis management; education and research; public health; telecommunications and broadcasting; transportation and logistics; and other critical national functions. This in the opinion UAE leaders would be only possible when one expands the space activities.
The UAE space regime aims to balance between its commercial needs and interests and at the same time ensure safety and security of not only its citizens but also the environment and even the space environment by meeting the requirements. For the same, the UAE space sector leaders have developed an investment promotion plan where they design the space sector to cater to the needs of the companies which are investing in the space activities and projects. UAE offers tax exemption to the companies investing in their sector along with incentive to create a thriving ecosystem.
It is safe to assume that the UAE space sector is based on the national, commercial and political interests. However, it also has regional and international interests as it aims to bring together Arab countries to do a joint space program. The Arab Space Project is an initiative by the UAE with eleven Arab countries where UAE is helping the other Arab countries to establish their own national space program. Another project, called 800 Satellite, is a multilateral project aimed to create the first satellite having hyperspectral sensor covering the entirety of Arab countries to monitor the environmental and climate changes which the Arab countries face. Aimed to be launched in the year 2023, the UAE along with the other countries is leading, regulating, monitoring, and developing this program. At the same time, the UAE is also ensuring that not only its space program is sustainable but is also contributing in the sustainability of UAE’s national and economic interests. UAE is not working on promoting space tourism (it is legal for UAE) but it also using its satellites and space missions to ensure sustainable urban planning and development.
The planners of the space sector in UAE were aware of the crunch in availability of human resources as well as intellect in the space sector. Hence, in the past five years there has been a steady investment in the academia especially in the space academia. The space sector has tied up with the education sector and have set up research and development sector in space as well as three universities offering programmes in space. This investment especially has led to an increase in the participation in STEM courses, where UAE youth are now aiming to partake in process of creating unique solutions which can help people globally. The government is also aiming to expand the academia sector in the UAE in order to retain the youth in the country. The government is also promoting education for all and aiming to increase the number of women in space sector.
The UAE Space Sector started with a dream and since then has made considerable advances. The UAE has launched several websites which are currently revolving around the world. Some of them are:
· DubaiSat 1 - contributing to country's sustainable development and urban planning such as Palm Jumeirah and Al Maktoum Airport
· YahSat 1 - offers Ka-band for government solutions and Yahlive services, beaming high-quality free-to-air TV channels to a culturally diverse audience
· YahSat 2 - providing high-performance satellite broadband for homes and businesses in the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia
· Kahlifast - helping the government in disaster relief and monitoring environment changes
· Nayif - helping the space academia in providing technical skills in design, manufacture, installation and operation of satellites
The Arab space pioneers’ programme aims to build Arab expertise in space and science technologies. Supervised by the UAE Space Agency, the programme aims to equip young Arab researchers, scientists, inventors and creative talents with skills and expertise required to lead a career in the growing space sector. It is an initiative of the government to invest in the youth to not only develop human capital, but also to retain it in the country.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has been pivotal in launching the satellites. The UAE Space Agency and MBRSC have signed an agreement to build an unmanned probe to Mars. UAE's Hope pore was launched in 20 July 2020 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) in Kagoshima Prefecture. The Mars Mission aims to gather data on Mars atmosphere and gather intel on the environment there to support life. UAE also aims to create a Mars Scientific City and also seeks to build the first settlement in Mars in the next 100 years. The Mars Scientific City project will include labs for food, water and energy, along with studies about food security for the future. The Mars Mission Programme is an ambitious experimental project, which, if successful, will revolutionise the aerospace industry and space itself.
One cannot ignore the advances which UAE has made in the space sector, but one also needs to take under consideration that UAE has entered the space industry quite late when compared to its counterparts. Therefore, progress and standing in the international space sector needs to be made through audacious projects like that of the Mars Mission. This is, however, by no means easy.
The UAE economy was facing issues even before the pandemic, and the pandemic has led to an economic slowdown as the crude oil prices have suffered. One cannot undermine UAE's progress, but can estimate the cost of keeping the progress steady. This can prove to be a challenge for the UAE Space Sector. The STEM sector of UAE is in the nascent stage and will require foreign help which the UAE leaders are not keen on. While foreign aid in other sectors has not been an issue for the country, in the domain of academia it is faring way behind. The country may call itself progressive and liberal but the crackdown on freedom of speech and expression has been high post the Arab Spring. In such a light, flourishing academia seems like a dream which directly impacts the aerospace development as academia and politics rarely stay away from each other. The UAE monarchy needs to loosen its grip somewhere in order to achieve its national dream of having a vibrant space sector. The route starts with giving the people more freedom to function, move and speak; something which the UAE monarchy is extremely apprehensive of.
Pic Courtesy-SpaceX at unspalsh.com
(The views expressed are personal of the author and do not represent the views of CESCUBE.)
