Photo: James Bridenstine-Administrator at NASA and Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi
The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has signed an Implementing Arrangement (IA) with the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration to form a strategic partnership that focuses on space exploration and human spaceflight between the two countries. The agreement was signed during the69th International Astronautical Congress, held in Bremen, Germany by Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, and Chairman of the UAESA, and James Bridenstine, Administrator at NASA
The IA will prompt discussions on enabling UAE’s astronauts to make training arrangements and provides opportunities for the UAE to use the facilities of the International Space Station and for UAESA to contribute to the ongoing lunar exploration.
In addition, the IA falls under the overarching Framework Agreement signed by the UAESA and NASA in June 2016, which established a framework for areas of cooperation in ground-based research; sub-orbital research; research and flight activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO); and human and robotic exploration in the vicinity of the moon, on the lunar surface, and beyond, reports WAM.
Dr Ahmad Al Falasi said: “This significant agreement builds on our bilateral relationship with NASA and the US space sector. It also reflects the deep economic, cultural and diplomatic ties shared between the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. The global space sector is built on international collaboration, and we welcome these substantial opportunities to work closer than ever before with our counterparts at NASA.”
“Our national space sector has reached a highly advanced stage, particularly with regards to the opportunities and expertise prevalent throughout. By advancing our international cooperation in space, we aim to further develop these local capacities through more sophisticated space missions and drive the growth of the national space sector,” he stated.
“The signing of this agreement reflects the UAE Space Agency’s commitment to further strengthening partnerships with the most important space agencies around the world, with a shared aspiration to launch space exploration projects that benefit humanity in its entirety. It is also in line with the UAE’s objectives of bolstering its presence within the global space sector,” he added.
James Bridenstine said: “As NASA builds cooperation for the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, we welcome the opportunity to expand our partnership with the UAE Space Agency as it builds its significant capabilities on Earth, in low-Earth orbit, and beyond. UAE is currently working with US Universities to build an orbiter “Hope”, to launch in 2020 and reach Mars in 2021. I’m delighted to sign this agreement signifying our deepening relationship as we move forward into the next phase of exploration.”
The IA also outlines opportunities for ground based research projects at the UAE’s Mars Scientific City in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), a landmark research and development facility that aims to simulate conditions on the Red Planet and is set to launch in 2020.
