UAE investment in satellite technology expected to grow
MARS PROBE TO GIVE FILLIP TO COUNTRY’S SPACE PROGRAMME
The UAE is making a quantum leap in the aerospace and space industries with an increasing number of satellites and substantial share of global investment in the sector.
Today, the UAE operates more than seven satellites, both for commercial and military satellite communications (Milsatcom) use, officials and industry executives said at the fourth annual Milsatcom Middle East conference yesterday.
The UAE investment in space technology is continuing to grow. Of the $300 billion (Dh1.1 trillion) international space industry, the UAE’s investment in space technology is already substantial, exceeding Dh20 billion ($5.4 billion).
The UAE Space Agency was established by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in July 2014 to help the country send the region’s first unmanned mission to Mars by 2021.
The Mars probe is a bid to send the Arab world’s first mission to another planet. The probe’s journey will take nine months and span more than 60 million kilometres.
Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said the UAE leadership has made a firm commitment to keeping the country at the forefront of space development by announcing the establishment of the Space Agency and the UAE’s Speakers at the conference highlighted the benefits of developing satellite communications for national security and commercial purposes while industry leaders analysed the challenges in terms of capability constraints, budget revisions and a trained workforce. Here are some of the highlights: Market for Milsatcom applications is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of . Estimated at $3.05 billion in 2013, the market is expected to reach
by 2022 Major growth will be seen in
2.5 per cent
$3.82 billion
. fixed satellite commuthe nications
segment . The Middle East and Asia Pacific satellite communications market will see consolidation among suppliers and collaborative efforts from defence forces will result in
of resources, especially in the European market.
‘pooling and sharing’ Military Space SympoA sium tomorrow
will focus on space-based defence and security technologies. own mission to explore Mars.
He said space technology and applications have provided improved the quality of life worldwide and global economic growth.
“Their benefits extend beyond the borders of the spacefaring nations,” he said while explaining the wider implications of Milsatcom.
Military operations today depend on space and approximately 60 nations own and operate at least one satellite, he said. Space capabilities are crucial for a range of military activities, including responding to humanitarian relief after natural disasters in addition to times of war.
‘Changing requirements’
Masood M. Sharif Mahmoud, Yahsat CEO, said: “At Yahsat, we aim to drive satellite innovation and the next generation of defence communications. Through our government services part of the operations, YahService, we have been successful at providing end-to-end managed services to government and commercial clients.”
Staff Brigadier Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jaberi, Head of Communications and IT Department at General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces, said the growing and changing operational requirements of military communication systems resulted from the complications of modern battlefield and net-centric warfare. This emphasises the importance of providing satellite communication solutions for field commanders to achieve informational superiority over enemies, Al Jaberi said.
Milsatcom Middle East is an invitation-only event attended by experts from the military and space technology sector, as well as industry executives.