Achievements

Launch of the UAE Space Agency Strategy

In 2015, the UAE Space Agency launched a comprehensive strategy consisting of three main elements, as established by the President of the UAE. These include developing the space sector, preparing and regulating its policies, and guiding national space programs that will benefit the national economy.

Launch of the National Space Sector Policy

The UAE Space Agency launched the National Space Sector Policy in the United Arab Emirates on September 4, 2016, following approval by the Council of Ministers, headed by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The policy aims to build a strong, sustainable space sector in the UAE that protects national interests and supports related vital sectors. This includes contributing to economic growth and diversification, strengthening specialized local skillsets and developing advanced scientific and technological capabilities. It also seeks to nurture a culture of innovation and to elevate the UAE’s global standing.

Federal Law on Regulating The Space Sector

In end of 2019, Federal Law on the Regulation of the Space Sector was issued, according to which the UAE Space Agency is concerned with regulating the space sector in the country. With the issuance of such Law, the Federal Decree law No. (1) of 2014 Concerning the establishment of the UAE Space Agency was canceled.

The Law deemed as the first of its kind in the Arab and Islamic level. It aims to create a legislative and regulatory environment in the UAE space sector, in harmony with other laws and regulations in the country, respects international treaties, and characterized by clarity, transparency and flexibility, protecting the interests of the State. Moreover, compromising between economic and commercial requirements encourages innovation on one hand, and requirements for security, safety and environmental protection on other hand.

Space Investment Promotion Plan

The Space Investment Promotion Plan aims to achieve UAE Policy directions by defining in a high level the UAE approach to facilitate more investments in space industry in the UAE and contribute towards the attainment of UAE goals stated in the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE 2071, and the UAE Plan on the 4th Industrial Revolution. In particular to diversify and ensure sustainability of the UAE Economy; promote highly productive knowledge-based economy; provide incentives for R&D and Innovation, and encourage Entrepreneurship, and SMEs role and opportunities in private sector.

Space Sector Regulation Law

The space sector in the UAE is regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2023 regarding the regulation of the space sector. The law aims to regulate the national space sector and its activities in a manner that ensures the development of a prosperous and safe space sector, which achieves the objectives of the national space policy in the country in addition to Stimulating investment and participation of the private and academic sectors in the space sector and related activities Support the application of security, safety and environmental protection measures to promote the stability and sustainability of space and related activities Supporting the principle of transparency and the State's commitment to the international treaties and conventions it has signed in the field of outer space.

Regulated space activities

Article 4 deals with space activities regulated by law and includes:

• Launch, re-entry, deorbiting or de-orbiting of a space object Launch sites operation or re-entry.
• Launch sites operation or re-entry.
• Space object operation, control and control
• Discovery of space resources
• Logistics support services in outer space
• Exploring space scientifically
• Manned space flight, prolonged human stay
• Space Data Management
• Collection and circulation of meteorites falling into the territory of the State.

Space activity Authorization

Permits to practice space activities According to Article 14 of the law, it is prohibited to own a space object, carry out or participate in space activities, or to establish, use or own associated facilities or facilities without obtaining a permit from the UAE Space Agency, as it is responsible for all acts and actions that ensure the objectives of the organization in regulating the activities of the UAE space sector.

Space Economic Zone Program

It is an integrated program developed by the UAE Space Agency to support start-ups, small and medium enterprises and stimulate the national space economy by providing economic initiatives and incentives in cooperation with various partners in the country.

Among the most important initiatives included in the program:

• Economic Incentives for the Space Sector.
• Space Laboratories.
• Establishment of Economic.

Space Zones The program pursues the following objectives:

• Create an attractive and integrated work environment that meets local and global needs.
• Enhancing the competitiveness of companies operating in the space economy, which contributes to enhancing the demand for space technologies and services.
• Stimulating innovation and raising the economic contribution of the sector to the country's non-oil GDP

Space Catalyst Package

• Express Permit: A permit issued by the Agency to the owner or operator of space or space-supporting activities for a specific list of activities, including licenses, permissions, and approvals.
• Space Laboratories: Through this initiative, companies will be able to use space facilities in cooperation with relevant partners such as space research centers. In addition to the technical expertise that is provided through specialized experts.
• Accelerator Program: Providing acceleration and business development opportunities for startups and SMEs.
• Funding Opportunities: Providing easy financial solutions and facilities for startups and SMEs Co-.
• Working spaces: During the first phase, offices and workspaces in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be provided at competitive prices in a stimulating environment that helps companies grow and develop.
• Promotion opportunities: The UAE Space Agency provides opportunities to promote and display space products and services provided by companies, in addition to expanding the network of communication with experts in the sector and learning about the most important developments in the field.

National Space Fund

The National Space Fund, which will be under the umbrella of the UAE Space Agency, worth AED 3 billion, contributes to enhancing investments from interested entrepreneurs and private companies, and working to finance and facilitate the development of future space activities and projects, as the space sector in the UAE is witnessing a great development and a trend to involve the private sector in space activities, especially in the field of remote sensing and communications, and space agencies play the role of developing capabilities and supporting the sector by raising its readiness and creating investment opportunities.

The National Space Fund consists of three tracks: the capacity development track, the support track for space projects concerned with capacity development, and the grant track.

The fund aims to build national capabilities and competencies, raise the economic contribution to the diversification of the national economy, consolidate the UAE's position to become a major business center in space, develop the infrastructure supporting the space industry, create the appropriate environment for creating new models and develop startups, in addition to adopting governance systems to achieve leadership in the space sector, attracting specialized companies globally to develop their projects and activities in the UAE, and strengthening and building partnerships between national companies and international advanced technology companies.

Abu Dhabi Space Debate

The Abu Dhabi Space Debate is a unique platform for the global space industry leadership. The two-day event gathered industry and government from the highest level, to debate the space industry’s most pressing challenges and drive the new space economy.

The UAE's hosting of the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue has established the great confidence that the world places in the capabilities of national cadres and reflects the extent of the contributions that national projects add in the space sector to serve humanity and benefit the global scientific community.

International cooperation agreements

The UAE Space Agency has signed a number of significant agreements with leading international space organizations, such as but not limited to NASA, JAXA, Roscosmos and the Indian Space Research Organization, Suadi Space Agency and the national Center for space science in Bahrain.

The agreements represent important frameworks for mutual cooperation in research, education and development of space sector policies and regulations.

The "International Relations" section includes a comprehensive list of memorandums of understanding signed by the agency with various international space agencies, industrial companies, and government agencies

Membership of International Organization

The UAE Space Agency has obtained membership in a number of international space organizations, bodies, and agencies. Among others, this includes the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the International Astronautical Federation and the Group on Earth Observation, which promotes open access to earth observation data. In addition, the UAE became the first Arab state to join the International Space Exploration Committee. Also, membership in the Space Observatory Committee (SCO) and the Disaster Charter Board for emergencies and disasters.

The section includes a list of all relevant international organizations in which the country, represented by the agency, has membership in them.