National Space Strategy 2030

The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has announced the details of its National Space Strategy 2030 and National Space Investment Plan, complementing the regulatory and legislative framework of the UAE’s national space sector and in line with the strategic objectives of the Agency.

The strategy aims to enhance the space sector’s contribution to the national economy and promote the UAE's regional and international presence in the space sector.

It also strives to support the transition to a knowledge-based economy, create an effective regulatory environment, attract talent and develop human capacity, stimulate creativity among young people, as well as develop partnerships with industrial, educational, and research institutions while increasing international collaboration.

In October 2019, the UAE welcomed back to earth its first ever astronaut following an eight-day mission to the International Space Station.

Major Hazza Al Mansouri was part of an international crew of cosmonauts who blasted off from Kazakhstan on board the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Goals

The National Space Strategy 2030 encompasses goals that include:

• Providing competitive and world-class space services
• Enhancing advanced local capacity in space science
• Research and development in manufacturing space technology
• Launching inspiring space missions
• Establishing high-level national expertise in the space sector
• Forging effective local and global partnerships and investments in the space industry
• Developing a future-proof supportive legislative environment and infrastructure across the sector

The goals will be achieved via the implementation of over 20 comprehensive programs and 80 initiatives.

The National Space Investment Plan seeks to realize the goals of UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071, which collectively aim to make the UAE the world’s leading country in economic, social and environmental fields. The plan is in line with the Higher Policy for Science, Technology, Innovation and the UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The National Space Investment Plan would see the creation of a dedicated free zone in Dubai South to host aerospace operations.

The hub will offer 100 percent ownership of firms based there, without the need for a local sponsor.

The plan also aims to make the UAE a major regional and global hub for space activities by:

• Building a competitive national economy based on knowledge, innovation and future applications that integrate the latest physical, digital and biological technologies
• Attracting small and medium-sized businesses through promoting investment in the space industry
• Facilitating the work of the companies in the industry