UAE Space Agency concludes participation in Colorado Space Symposium

COLORADO, 20th April, 2016 (WAM) -- The UAE Space Agency has concluded its participation in the 32nd Space Symposium, which took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, where it presented the latest developments within the UAE space sector. The agency concluded its participation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Strategic Command that regulates a framework for cooperation in space flight safety and increases space situational awareness. The MoU was signed by Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, and Major-General Clinton E. Crosier, US Strategic Command Director of Plans and Policy. Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Al Romaithi said, "This memorandum confirms the depth of relations that the UAE has with various global bodies involved in the space sector. This is a solid indication of the global recognition for the UAE space sector and the progress it has made in ambitious projects that seek to contribute to humankind." The most prominent developments from the UAE space sector throughout the last year were showcased by Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency. These include efforts to raise awareness in UAE society about the importance of the space sector, the agreements signed with various international bodies, and the global institutions and committees to which the agency gained membership. Al Ahbabi joined leaders from global space agencies, including NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Italian Space Agency, and others. The agency’s programme included side-line talks with a number of specialists in the space sector and meetings with leaders from international space agencies, during which areas of future cooperation were discussed. It also included a visit to Bigelow Aerospace Company, and to the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder, to discuss joint space projects. Al Ahbabi continued, "The Space Symposium is considered one of the most prestigious global gatherings, bringing together the most prominent individuals and institutions involved in the field. Throughout our participation in this year’s event, we aimed to develop joint cooperation with international space agencies and organisations, not least because this is at the heart of the UAE Space Agency’s strategic goals of developing the space sector within the UAE." He added, "Despite being founded relatively recently, the UAE Space Agency has managed to achieve a large number of successes in a short time, and has attained wide-scale acknowledgement and standing within the global space sector community. Participation in this sort of event is therefore an opportunity to further fortify the agency’s international presence, especially since it supports one of the most ambitious current projects, the Mars Hope probe, which will explore the Red Planet and study its environment." The UAE Space Agency was participating in the symposium for the second year running. This follows last year’s success in showcasing developments in the nation’s space sector and their effects on economic growth and future strategies, including the bright future for the field in light of plans that have been put in place to develop human resources on a national level." Also attending the conference were representatives from UAE space companies, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Thuraya Mobile Satellite Communications Company, and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat. The UAE participants explained the important applications of various space fields, workshops concerning laws and safety regulations in outer space, and modern technology displayed by aerospace manufacturers at the exhibition accompanying the conference. The annual event brought together leading figures in the space sector from around the world, together with civilian and military policy makers, academics and businessmen, with a view to exploring developments and challenges that the sector will face across the board. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395294354793.html