The 18th edition of the highly anticipated Dubai Airshow, scheduled to take place at Dubai World Central (DWC) from November 13 to 17, is set to focus on space exploration as a crucial driver of growth for individual nations and the aerospace industry.
In a significant development, the Dubai Airshow has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Space Agency, paving the way for a collaborative effort to enhance the event’s emphasis on space. This partnership aims to bolster the offerings of this year’s airshow and reflect the increasing global interest in space exploration.
The landscape of space exploration has evolved beyond the purview of governments, aerospace companies, and defense organizations. Private businesses and industries have played a pivotal role in driving innovation in space applications, leading to the emergence of a new space economy. The Space Foundation predicts that this sector will surpass a value of US$634 billion by 2026.
To ensure a comprehensive focus on space, the Dubai Airshow Advisory Board will include esteemed members such as Ibrahim Al Qasim, Deputy Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, and Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
Al Qasim emphasized the UAE’s significant advancements in various space-related endeavors, including earth observation, astronaut training, lunar missions, and future ventures to the asteroid belt. He stressed the importance of building major private sector capabilities over the next decade. Al Qasim further highlighted the Dubai Airshow as an ideal platform to facilitate vast opportunities for startups, having generated over AED 3 trillion in business.
The UAE has made remarkable strides in the space sector, serving as an inspiration for future generations of astronauts and space scientists. Notable milestones include Sultan Al Neyadi becoming the first Arab to walk in space and the Arab world’s inaugural interplanetary mission. Additionally, the UAE’s ambitious Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), a groundbreaking 13-year project, promises to significantly boost Emirati space startups and foster local talent. Meanwhile, the Saudi Space Commission recently made history by sending its first female Saudi astronaut into space.
In an exciting debut, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a renowned global scientific research center, and the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), will be the host sponsor for the Aerospace 2050 stage at this year’s Dubai Airshow. Dr. Gustavo Dos Santos, Chief Researcher at the Propulsion and Space Research
