DUBAI, 6th March, 2023 (WAM) — The 17th edition of the International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2023), one of the world’s most important space events, kicked off today at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Hosted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) and the International Committee for the Technical Exchange of Space Mission Operations and Ground Data Systems, this is the first time this global event has been held in the Arab world. The conference runs from March 6-10.
During the opening ceremony, MBRSC President Hamad Al Mansouri, MBRSC Vice President Youssef Al Chaibani, MBRSC Director General Salem Humaid Al Marri and Yahsat Director General Ali Al Hachémy were accompanied by distinguished guests, including heads of global space agencies and members of the international diplomatic corps.
SpaceOps 2023 brought together over 1,000 registered attendees, 25 world-renowned sponsors and exhibitors, space professionals, delegates and experts for the first-ever space event of its kind in the Middle East. The five-day event is supported by multiple sponsors from around the world, including platinum sponsor GMV, gold sponsor Yahsat, silver sponsors European Space Agency (ESA) and National Space Agency of South Africa (SANSA), and bronze sponsors Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), the National Center for Space Studies (CNES), Telespazio, SpaceNav, etc.
At the service of the Earth and beyond:
The international forum, whose theme is “Investing in Space to Serve Earth and Beyond”, offers delegates a valuable opportunity to explore all aspects of space mission operations, including specialized areas such as robotics, human operations, operations in Earth orbit and deep space. The event provides an overview of the latest technologies and opportunities in the space sector, showing how advanced space technologies can contribute to finding solutions for the future of humanity.
The event hosts a series of space-focused plenary sessions, informative talks, in-depth technical sessions and interactive workshops. SpaceOps 2023 also offers a distinct networking opportunity for space industry entities through the Space Science Expo.
UAE’s space efforts:
The UAE in general and the MBRSC in particular have made significant investments in the space sector in recent years in order to develop a sustainable space economy and strengthen the country’s scientific and technological capacities. Dubai’s organization of this major event, the first in the Arab world, closely follows the launch of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Al Neyadi, who followed the UAE’s astronaut program at MBRSC, arrived at the ISS on March 3, becoming the second Emirati and second Arab to board the orbiting science lab. His mission, the longest performed by an Arab astronaut, is expected to cement the UAE’s position as a leading space nation in the Middle East.
The UAE has successfully launched several other space missions in recent years. In September 2019, the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansouri, flew an eight-day mission to the ISS, garnering worldwide attention. In February 2021, the UAE’s Hope Probe successfully entered Mars orbit, marking the first interplanetary mission from an Arab country. Mission design, development and operations are led by the MBRSC. The probe will examine the atmosphere and weather patterns of Mars for two years. In addition, the MBRSC has launched several satellites, including DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2, used for remote sensing applications, and KhalifaSat, the first 100% Emirati-built satellite.
Presentations and plenary sessions:
During the first day of the conference, His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC, participated in the plenary session on “International Collaborations on Space Missions”, alongside Philippe Baptiste, President of CNES, and by Ricardo Conde, President of Portugal Space. The session was moderated by Badri Younes, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Communications and Navigation.
Day one of SpaceOps 2023 was also marked by oral presentations of abstracts and papers that highlight unique and innovative practices, technologies, and experiences that others in the space exploration community can benefit from.
In addition, the day included a special session on “Life Science Mission Operations in Space”, with presentations by Dr. Cassandra M. Juran from the Department of Aerospace Physiology at Embry-Riddle University (States USA), Dr. Eliah G. Overbey, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Mason Lab Institute for Computational Biomedicine and NASA Postdoctoral Fellow in Space Biology at Weill Cornell Medicine (USA), and Professor Joseph Borg of the Department of Applied Biomedical Sciences , Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida (Malta).
Commenting on the conference, MBRSC Director General Mr. Al Marri said, “Hosting this edition of SpaceOps is an important milestone for MBRSC as well as for the Arab region as a whole, and it is an honor to “to be at the forefront of promoting space exploration and innovation globally. This event is not only a reflection of our commitment to advancing the space sector in the UAE and the region, but also our belief in the power of collaboration and inclusion to achieve great things in the space industry. SpaceOps 2023, with its inclusive and multidisciplinary approach, will contribute to these efforts by providing a platform for the development space technology and capacity building for a diverse group of stakeholders to benefit from space exploration for economic, social and environmental progress.”
Local Organizing Committee Chairman at MBRSC, Adnan Al Rais, said, “Hosting the prestigious SpaceOps 2023 conference will encourage new ideas and expand the frontiers of innovation, which will help move the industry forward. in the region and globally. We also believe that this conference will play an important role in fostering a collaborative space ecosystem, leaving a lasting impression, forming critical alliances and bridging knowledge gaps with major international space organizations and agencies, for the benefit of humanity. Hosting this prestigious event for the first time in the Arab world underscores the UAE’s commitment to the development and growth of the space industry in the region and in the whole world.”
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