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The UAE Space Agency is a federal agency that was created under Federal Law by Decree No. 1 of 2014. The space sector includes all projects, activities and programs related to outer space.
The decree stipulates that the UAE Space Agency works in line with the Council of Ministers and has an independent legal position, enjoying financial and administrative independence as well as the legal capacity necessary to direct all activities that will ensure the achievement of its objectives.
Minister of Sport, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi was appointed UAE Minister of Sports in July 2024. He oversees the process of devising development strategies and plans for the country’s sports sector, aiming to boost its global competitiveness, nurture national talents and build a healthy society that adopts sports as a way of life.
His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency. He oversees the Agency’s mandate of guiding the space sector, ensuring its contribution to the national economy. Additionally, His Excellency is Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, the UAE’s largest applied higher educational institution, and the nation’s first approved university economic free zone. This enables the institution to produce graduates and entrepreneurs who possess exceptional levels of competence and competitiveness.
Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi is the UAE Space Agency’s Director General and has more than 20 years of public and private sector leadership experience in military aviation, security, and defense. He is responsible for setting the Agency’s strategic direction, delivering on its mandate to strengthen the space sector, and contributing to the nation’s vision for sustainable economic growth and diversification.
Director General of the UAE Space Agency
Since being established in 2014, the UAE Space Agency has reached a number of significant landmarks, both locally and internationally. This includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for the national space sector, the signing of a number of Memorandums of Understanding with key international players in the space sector. In addition, the Space Agency has successfully launched and executed notable local and regional initiatives and projects.
The United Arab Emirates’ interest in astronomy and space sciences dates back to the 1970’s, when His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met with the NASA team responsible for the Apollo moon landing. This encounter sparked a national focus on space that began almost three decades ago, eventually leading to the birth of a national space sector with the establishment of Thuraya Communications Company in 1997 and Al Yah Satellite Communications company (Yahsat) in 2007.