One giant leap for the UAE

The UAE has never been shy about thinking big – from building some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers to sending missions to Mars. Now, it’s setting its sights even higher with a new one billion dirham initiative aimed at strengthening its position in the global space economy.

Announced by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, during a Supreme Space Council meeting, the International Space Cooperation Programme will support global collaboration in space research and development while accelerating the UAE’s long-term ambitions in the sector.

The programme is designed to reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for space technology and innovation while building a more competitive and self-sustaining space industry.

At its core, it focuses on developing homegrown capabilities, advancing new technologies, and turning innovation into real-world space industries that deliver economic value, create jobs, and attract international investment.

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It will also strengthen collaboration between UAE-based research institutions and global partners, encouraging knowledge exchange and joint projects with long-term scientific and commercial impact.

Sheikh Hamdan stressed that the initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2031, which aims to further establish the country as one of the world’s leading space economies. The strategy targets doubling the sector’s economic returns and increasing its added value by 60 per cent, while developing national expertise in space research, development and manufacturing.

The programme also supports efforts to diversify international partnerships, expand access to global space markets, and build advanced infrastructure that meets international standards, helping the UAE stay competitive in a rapidly evolving sector.

The announcement comes as the global space economy continues to grow significantly, rising from around $613 billion in 2024 to a projected $780 billion by 2033, creating major opportunities for emerging space nations.

The meeting also highlighted the UAE’s participation in the Artemis programme, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. Meanwhile, Orbitworks said it aims to support the UAE’s ambitions in AI-powered space intelligence through a locally built satellite network designed to strengthen national capabilities and position the country at the forefront of space-based data systems.

Images: Dubai Media Office and Sultan AlNeyadi X