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UAE Space Agency Launches NewSpace Innovation Program

The UAE Space Agency has announced its Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the stakeholders from academia, research and
collaboration with the Abu Dhabi-based UAE Space Agency, said: “We are pleased development, space investment, and more
global innovation hub, Krypto Labs, to to be collaborating with Krypto Labs to who would benefit from space technology,
launch the UAE NewSpace Innovation inspire young entrepreneurs to present incubators, and accelerators in the
Program. The program aims to maximize their ground-breaking start-up ideas and country.” He added: “The program aims
the growth of space technology start-ups contribute to the growth of the space to incubate and accelerate the growth of
in NewSpace, the rising private spaceflight industry in the UAE, along with promoting four start-ups who will play a major role
industry. The program comes as part of the a diverse economy in the country. The UAE in fostering a culture of interest for the
UAE Space Agency’s efforts to accelerate NewSpace Innovation Program invites space sciences in the UAE. This comes
the growth of technology start-ups in students, entrepreneurs, and start-ups in line with the Ghadan 21 development
the field of space sciences. The program to share their ground-breaking ideas and accelerator program, which aims to
falls under the National Space Investment transform them into viable commercial transform the emirate of Abu Dhabi into
Promotion Plan which aims to heighten the products. This supports developing space a global innovation hub. The NewSpace
role of the space industry in contributing to technology as part of the UAE’s private Innovation Program also aligns with the
the economy of the UAE, while encouraging spaceflight NewSpace sector, which aims UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial
a culture of interest in the space sector, in to make space more accessible, affordable Revolution which aims to strengthen the
efforts to establish a knowledge-based and commercial.” “This initiative comes country’s global position as a hub for
competitive national economy built on in line with the UAE Space Strategy 2030 the technological advances of the fourth
innovation and the latest technologies. and National Space Investment Promotion industrial revolution. By February 2020,
The NewSpace Innovation Program is one Plan, which seeks to encourage investment we aim to select high-skilled teams whose
of the main and most important initiatives in the UAE’s emerging space sector. We exceptional ideas will carry the potential
launched by the National Space Investment always encourage the development and to push forward our vision towards a
Promotion Plan, initiated by the UAE Space implementation of space science and diversified economy.” “The UAE NewSpace
Agency in the first quarter of 2019. The technology in the UAE, as part of the Innovation Program seeks innovative ideas
program also falls under a MoU signed UAE Space Agency’s objectives,” Dr. Eng in three categories: Innovations in Space
between the UAE Space Agency and Krypto Al Ahbabi added. Dr. Saleh Al Hashemi, Sciences, which includes energy storage,
Labs, which aims to increase innovation Managing Director of Krypto Labs, said: software and applications, robotics
and investment in the space sector, “We are committed to promoting and and autonomous systems, modeling, IT
drive a diversified UAE economy, and building the capabilities of local youth and processing, science instruments,
promote awareness through specialized in space tech under the National Space and observatories and sensor systems;
initiatives that support space technology Strategy 2030, and it is the UAE Space Extending Human Presence in Deep Space,
entrepreneurship. Selected applicants Agency’s persistent support that pushes which includes habitation systems, life
will take part in a 3-month incubation us forward in achieving this mission. support, human exploration destination
program at Krypto Labs’ headquarters By supporting innovators and young systems, space entry and landing, and life
in Abu Dhabi with access to the hub’s entrepreneurs, we aim to foster a spirit of and physical sciences; and Exploration and
facilities. They will also have access to originality and zest within startups to solve Communications in Space, which includes
the innovation hub’s local and global global challenges that keep the UAE on the thermal management systems and ground
network of investors, receive mentorship frontier of the innovation map and elevate station systems, and ground and launch
from global space experts, and develop its position as a leader for innovation- systems processing,” explained Al Rashedi.
their skills in business creation, marketing, focused businesses.” Commenting on the He added: “The program is accepting
and sales, among others. Applicants will program, Eng. Naser Al Rashedi, Director applications from university students,
have a chance to secure funds to ensure of the Space Policy and Legislation professors, innovators, engineers, start-
their start-up investment is ready to Department in the UAE Space Agency and ups, and entrepreneurs until February
enter the market. Eligible applicants must Project Manager said: “This program is the 2020. As part of the program, there will be
present an innovative and original idea first of its kind locally and regionally, as a nation-wide university roadshow. This
with a clear technical approach, which it has been planned for under the highest will be followed by a competition held to
generates a feasible and scalable product. standards and best international practices. select the top candidates, who will then
Applying teams must have at least one The program aims to successfully establish pitch their ideas to a renowned and global
Emirati team member. Dr. Eng Mohammed collaboration and partnership between panel of judges.”

64 JANUARY 2020