For the first time, senior representatives from NASA and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) are heading to the UAE to address high-level delegates from the region’s space industry at a forum dedicated to space technology.
Michael O’Brien, Assistant Administrator for External Relations at NASA, will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of the Global Space Technology Forum, taking place from 7-9 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. His presentation will highlight the need for international collaboration for the success of space initiatives emerging in the Middle East and North Africa region.
O’Brien will be joined by Dr. Jose Achache, Director, GEO, who will also deliver a keynote address in the opening session of the conference, on Earth Observation Systems – Opportunities and Challenges.
Rick Theobald, Commercial Director at Streamline Marketing Group, organisers of the Global Space Technology Forum said: “The presence of NASA and GEO at the event is very significant as it brings recognition to the continuous efforts of regional space and satellite projects. It will be a great opportunity to showcase the region’s achievements in the realm of space technology and provide an opportunity for leading space organisations to seek partnerships.
“Their presence will also spur more governments to consider the opportunities that space provides, and support scientific education and research in their respective countries.”
More than 20 emerging national space projects in the Middle East and Africa are actively participating in the forum by attending a series of seminars and scheduled business meetings with suppliers and providers of the required technology from around the globe. ‘Business Direct: MENA Space Projects’ represents the first such hosted-buyers programme for space technology in the region.
Several other international space experts will address the high-level conference including Tomaz Lovrencic, Deputy Director of the European Union Satellite Centre, Dr. Ahmed Al Mansoori, Director General of the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology, Dr. Ahmad Talebzadeh, Chairman of the Legal Sub Committee UN COPOUS, Dr. Mohammed Tarabzouni, Director, Saudi Space Research Institute, King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, and Dr. Orhan Altan, President, International Society for Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Turkey.
Key topics to be addressed at the conference include the need for an organised regional space sector and collaboration, space policy, regulation and economics, commercial opportunities related to space, sustainable earth observation systems, space education and space borne security and surveillance systems.
Now in its second year, the event is sponsored by LSE Space Middle East, Yahsat and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. The forum has also gained the support of the UAE Space Reconnaissance Center, the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), the International Space University, UAE University, the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the National Space Society and the Society of Engineers -UAE, highlighting strong support from the international space community.