Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: space sector is a 'major nerve' in the economy

Private companies are fundamental to engaging youth in space and science, says the Dubai Ruler

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets Marshal Intech, developers of the Ghalib satellite Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets Marshal Intech, developers of the Ghalib satellite. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets representatives from Marshal Intech, a subsidiary of the UAE Bin Ghalib Group working to develop a group of satellites that will be launched in December, on Saturday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets representatives from Marshal Intech, developers of the Ghalib satellite. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office  

Representatives from Marshal Intech meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid (not pictured) on Saturday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets representatives from Marshal Intech on Saturday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The space sector is a “major nerve” in the nation's economy, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said on Saturday.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said the UAE’s investment in space has attracted youth to science, which is critical for development.

"Space industries have become a major nerve in the UAE's economic system, in sync with the goals of the National Space Strategy,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

"Providing support to Emirati entrepreneurs and encouraging young people to enter new economic fields represents a fundamental approach in the framework of establishing our position in the future industries sector.”

He said the private sector is due credit for the development of the National Space Strategy, launched last year.

"Private companies operating in the UAE in space industries have qualitative contributions and achievements that contribute to enhancing the country's position as the leading and most advanced centre in the space sector in the region.”

Sheikh Mohammed's comments were made during a meeting with Marshal Intech, a company that is developing a group of satellites scheduled for launch in December.

He was briefed about preparations for the launch of its first satellite, Ghalib. Development of Ghalib began three years ago.

The UAE has invested an estimated Dh22 billion in the space sector, according to state news agency Wam.

In July, a team of scientists from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre launched the Hope Probe, the Arab world's first mission to Mars. The probe is scheduled to enter Mars orbit in February 2021 after travelling 500 million kilometres. It will study the red planet's upper atmosphere and monitor its climate for two years.