United Arab Emirates Space Sector

The UAE’s ambitious Space Program creates numerous export opportunities for U.S. companies to partner with the UAE government and Emirati private sector. Since its formation in 2014 and the launch of its first satellite in 2018, the United Arab Emirates Space Agency has aspired to explore and study the Red Planet and the moon. In July 2020, the UAE successfully launched the Mars Hope Probe mission, an unmanned space exploration craft, which is set to touchdown on Mars’ surface early February 2021, the year the country celebrates its 50-year anniversary. The UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) also plans to send the first lunar rover with Emirati astronauts to the moon in 2024. In the interest of diversifying its economy, the UAE is investing heavily in space exploration and the development of space technologies including those related to spacecraft, satellites, and space stations. The country is looking to acquire technologies in order to accelerate the development of a private sector space-related ecosystem that can contribute to the broader economy.

Opportunities:
• Partnering in satellite manufacturing to design, build, and test satellites;
• Remote sensing;
• Satellite navigation systems;
• Long-distance communications systems;
• Satellite television;
• Space missions data collection and analysis;
• Scientific research equipment built for space;
• Astronaut training; and
• Space education and research programs for high school and university students.

The U.S. Commercial Service in the UAE is organizing a Discover America Space Trade Talk on March 9, 2021 to appraise U.S. companies about this growing sector and business opportunities. For more information about business opportunities in space sector in the United Arab Emirates and participation in the Discover America Space Talk, please contact office.abudhabi@trade.gov.