Programme Objectives and Scope
The UAE National Space Strategy 2030 provides the policy framework for the federation’s space ambitions, which span scientific exploration, satellite technology, Earth observation, space industry development, and long-term interplanetary exploration. The strategy targets positioning the UAE among the top ten spacefaring nations by 2030, building on the success of the Hope Mars Mission (Emirates Mars Mission), the KhalifaSat Earth observation satellite, and the Rashid lunar rover programme. The scope extends beyond government space activities to cultivate a commercial space industry through private sector investment, international partnerships, and workforce development in space science and engineering.
Key Targets and KPIs
Key targets include growing the UAE space sector’s economic contribution, increasing the number of space-related companies operating in the UAE, expanding the national cadre of space engineers and scientists, and executing a pipeline of exploration and satellite missions. Specific mission-level KPIs track the deployment of Earth observation and communications satellites, the progression of the Emirates Lunar Mission programme, and contributions to international space research collaborations. The long-term Mars 2117 vision, while aspirational, drives investment in enabling technologies including propulsion, life support, and materials science.
Implementation Status and Progress
The Hope probe, launched in July 2020, successfully entered Mars orbit in February 2021, making the UAE the fifth entity globally to reach Mars and the first Arab nation to do so. The mission has generated significant scientific data on the Martian atmosphere. KhalifaSat, built almost entirely by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), continues to provide high-resolution Earth observation imagery. The Rashid rover was launched aboard a lunar lander in 2022, representing the UAE’s first lunar surface mission. MBRSC has expanded its satellite manufacturing capabilities and is developing next-generation Earth observation platforms. The UAE Space Agency has signed cooperation agreements with over 30 national space agencies globally.
Lead and Supporting Institutions
The UAE Space Agency, established in 2014, sets national space policy and regulatory standards. The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai is the primary operational space agency, responsible for satellite development, space mission execution, and astronaut training. The UAE’s astronaut programme has produced the first Arab astronauts to serve on the International Space Station. Supporting institutions include Khalifa University and the University of Sharjah for space research and education, and a growing cluster of space industry companies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Relationship to We the UAE 2031 Pillars
The space strategy supports the Economy Pillar through the development of a high-value space industry and the commercial applications of satellite technology (telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation services). It contributes to the global engagement pillar by positioning the UAE as a credible space power and science diplomacy partner. The technology and talent development dimensions support the society pillar’s emphasis on knowledge-based employment for nationals. Space-derived data supports the sustainability pillar through climate monitoring, environmental observation, and natural resource management applications.
Funding and Resource Allocation
The UAE has invested approximately AED 22 billion in space programmes since the sector’s inception. MBRSC receives the largest share of operational funding for satellite and mission development. The UAE Space Agency allocates budget for regulatory development, international cooperation, and space industry promotion. Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Economic Programme has channelled defence-adjacent investment into space technology. Private sector investment in space-related companies has grown, supported by free zone frameworks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that encourage space industry establishment.