The UAE has won its bid to host the International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps) 2022 as it is set to develop as a key hub for the global space industry, the Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced. The goal to develop the UAE’s capabilities in space sciences, research and engineering is set to develop a hub to attract global talent as well as drive innovation, foster economic development and create new job opportunities across a number of specializations.

Marking the UAE’s presence at the 15^th Annual International SpaceOps Conference in Marseilles, France, H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said, “We envisage the UAE as becoming a key global hub for the development of space sciences, research and engineering and to that end we are pleased to be hosting two of the world’s leading conference events dedicated to the space industry. Alongside hosting the 71^stInternational Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2020, we can now announce that the UAE has won the bid to host the 17^th edition of the important global SpaceOps Conference in 2022. These milestone events mark our determination to make the UAE a global hub for space technology.’

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, a member of the SpaceOps executive committee, is currently participating in the 15^th Annual International SpaceOps Conference from May 28th to 1st June. Bringing together major international institutions and space agencies, the conference discusses the principles, tools and strategies of space operations and focused on the exchange of knowledge and research in all aspects of space missions’ management, space technology and exploration capabilities.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, at MBRSC said, “Over the past few years, we have taken a bigger role in these events as we continue our journey to space. Our presence at the 15^th biannual International SpaceOps Conference cements our position as an international player in the global space industry. We are extremely proud that this progress has resulted in us being chosen to host this important event on the global space calendar in the UAE for the first time in 2022 where we fully intend to harness the learnings and international collaboration we have witnessed in France this week.”

H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre concluded: “Being chosen to host such crucial events to the global space community is a huge recognition of everything we have done to date and will continue to do to serve national interests in the future. We would like to thank Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing who is continuously supporting us throughout the bid process and during our time in this year’s SpaceOps event. We look forward to hosting the brightest minds and experts in the space and science industry in the coming years.”

The biannual SpaceOps conference has been held globally since 1990. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre joined the SpaceOps committee in 2015 and regularly represents the UAE in SpaceOps meetings. The Centre also took part in the 14th SpaceOps conference in 2016 in Daejeon, South Korea.