ABU DHABI // Talks on Mars expeditions and ways to develop the Arab world as a space hub will be held alongside activities for students at the Global Space Congress this week in the capital.
The winner of the Genes in Space competition, for which The National is a sponsor, will also be announced at the two-day event starting on Tuesday at the St Regis Hotel on Saadiyat Island.
Heads of space agencies, former astronauts and representatives of government ministries, aerospace companies and research institutes will be among more than 600 people expected to attend.
The aim is to further the region’s public and commercial space sector, and develop space and education and research.
Representatives of the European, UK, Japanese, Algerian, Bahraini, Romanian, Polish, South African and Ukrainian space agencies are expected to attend.
“One of our mandates is to make UAE a hub for space services, technologies, events and education and the holding of this event shows we are well on our way,” said Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, which is hosting the conference.
Just as the local airlines’ success was built on the utilisation of UAE’s central location, the space industry could stand to benefit from the country’s geographical position, said Dr Al Ahbabi.
He said the event would build on collaboration – one of the most fundamental aspects of the space industry.
“The Global Space Congress is a major victory in this regard, as local universities and industry bodies will gather with leading international space agencies and organisations,” he said.
With the development of the local commercial sector being one of the goals, attendees include major local and international aerospace industry companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Orbital ATK, SpaceX, Yahsat, Thuraya and Lockheed Martin.
Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems Company, said government partnerships with the private sector have always been important and UAE would further benefit from them.
“The accomplishments to date of the UAE’s space industry are remarkable considering the space industry is still in its early years,” she said.
“By supporting the human capital development both today and into the future, we can advance this industry and support the UAE’s space ambitions for the benefit of the people of the Emirates.”
The event has focused on students by inviting universities such as the American University of Sharjah, New York University Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, George Washington University, University of Leicester and California State University – Long Beach, and hosting youth activities such as Airbus’s workshop on assembling and launching model rockets for Mars exploration.
The climax of the Genes in Space competition will also be held at the congress, with the five finalists presenting to a panel of judges before the winner is announced.
“It is the perfect platform to inspire the younger generation,” said Dr Al Ahbabi.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae