UAE Space Agency

What UAE Space Agency does

The UAE Space Agency is a federal public entity established in 2014 under Federal Decree Law No. 1 of 2014 and reorganized under Federal Decree Law No. 47 of 2023. It serves as the sole regulator and national coordinator for the UAE's space sector, exercising exclusive authority over space activity licensing, permits, No Objection Certificates, and space object registration. The agency develops policy (National Space Policy, 2016), regulates the space economy, directs flagship missions, and represents the UAE in multilateral space governance forums including COPUOS and the Artemis Accords (founding signatory, 2020).

Its technology portfolio spans deep space exploration, Earth observation, navigation, and data platforms. Flagship exploration assets include the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe), which has delivered over 10 terabytes of Martian atmospheric data since 2021 and was extended to 2028, and the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt scheduled for Q1 2028 in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Earth observation and technology demonstration assets include the Sirb radar constellation, the hyperspectral Arab Satellite 813 (205 spectral bands), Mezn Sat, and LEONAV-1, the UAE's first navigation CubeSat. Digital infrastructure includes the Space Data Center platform, the Emirates Mars Mission Science Data Center (cloud-based open science), and the GIQ geospatial intelligence platform on Microsoft Azure developed with Space42. The AED 3 billion National Space Fund and AED 1 billion International Space Cooperation Program underpin these programs, and the National Space Academy plus Space Economic Zones address talent and industrial development. Customers include UAE federal ministries, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, international space agencies (NASA, JAXA, CNES, Roscosmos, CNSA, DLR, ASI, KASA, ISRO, NCPOR), and 200+ scientific institutions accessing Mars data globally.

Name

UAE Space Agency

Legal name

United Arab Emirates Space Agency

Website

https://space.gov.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The UAE Space Agency is the federal regulator and national coordinator for the UAE's space sector, overseeing space activity licensing, deep space missions (Hope Probe, Asteroid Belt), satellite programs, the AED 3 billion National Space Fund, and open-access data platforms serving government, industry, researchers, and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Space Programs and Regulation

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (9271), Space Research and Technology (927110), International Affairs (928120), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

Keywords

• Space sector regulation
• Space exploration missions
• Earth observation satellites
• Geospatial data analytics
• Satellite navigation systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Musaffah

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UAE Space Agency leads, regulates, and coordinates the UAE's space sector through federal authority over space activity licensing and permits, execution of flagship interplanetary and Earth observation missions (Emirates Mars Mission, Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, Sirb constellation, Arab Satellite 813, LEONAV-1), and operation of AI-powered geospatial data platforms (GIQ, Space Data Center). It also administers the AED 3 billion National Space Fund, Space Economic Zones, the National Space Academy talent program, and the Abu Dhabi Space Debate international dialogue platform.

Product overview

UAE Space Agency oversees a comprehensive national space ecosystem comprising space exploration missions, satellite systems, digital data platforms, and regulatory services. Core missions include the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe) studying Martian atmosphere, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (2028), and LEONAV-1 navigation satellite (2026). The digital infrastructure includes the GIQ AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform on Azure, the Space Data Center platform, and the Emirates Mars Mission Science Data Center for open scientific data sharing. Economic programs encompass the AED 3 billion National Space Fund, Space Economic Zones, and the National Space Academy for talent development. Regulatory services cover space activity authorizations, permits, and space object registration. The portfolio integrates earth observation constellations (Sirb, Arab Satellite 813), atmospheric research (Mezn Sat), and international platforms like the Abu Dhabi Space Debate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Space Academy: A transformational project to develop and nurture the skills of young Emirati talent in space science and technology through training programs and knowledge transfer.
• Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt
• Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe)
• National Space Fund
• Space Data Center
• Abu Dhabi Space Debate
• Space Economy Zones

Quantifiable outcome

• Hope Probe collected over 10 terabytes of data, exceeding original 1 terabit target tenfold
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026UAE participates in 69th COPUOS session chaired by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi. Presented AED 1 billion International Space Cooperation Program and chairs International Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness with 120 experts from 43 countries.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Bilateral meeting held at 41st Space Symposium to discuss potential collaboration in lunar and Martian exploration under the Artemis Accords framework. UAE is a founding signatory of Artemis Accords since 2020.
• Korea AeroSpace AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Bilateral meeting held at Space Symposium 2026 to advance space cooperation discussions and explore potential joint initiatives in space exploration.
• French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Bilateral meeting held to discuss collaboration in lunar and Martian exploration. CNES transitioned presidency of International Charter: Space and Major Disasters to UAE Space Agency in April 2026.
• India's National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026MoU signed for UAE Emirati Polar Programme enabling UAE scientists to join India's 45th Antarctic expedition at Maitri station. Studies Schirmacher Oasis as geological analog for Mars, supporting UAE planetary science ambitions.
• Kazakhstan's Vasiliy Fesenkov Astrophysical InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Meeting held at COPUOS STSC session to discuss potential joint initiatives in space research, data exchange, and Space Situational Awareness technologies.
• IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Expanded partnership including space cooperation agreements signed during UAE President's visit to New Delhi. Pacts cover space industry initiatives, supercomputing, and strategic technology sectors.
• Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Collaboration for Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt launch. Mission scheduled for Q1 2028, representing UAE's strategic international partnership in deep space exploration.
• Space42coreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2025Partnership for development of GIQ AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform. Platform launched on Microsoft Azure Marketplace for global access to satellite data analytics. Space42 CEO serves on UAE Space Agency Board of Directors.
• Artemis Accords PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024UAE is a founding signatory of Artemis Accords since October 2020. As of October 2024, 46 nations have signed the accords. Framework guides civil space exploration for the 21st century based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
• Bahrain National Space Science AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation through bilateral relations for space science collaboration in the Gulf region.
• Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational space cooperation partner listed under international relations for bilateral collaboration in space activities.
• China National Space AdministrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational space cooperation partner for bilateral collaboration and data exchange.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for space research and technology collaboration.
• Italian Space Agency (ASI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral space cooperation partner for technology and science collaboration.
• International Astronautical Federation (IAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAE Space Agency holds membership in IAF as part of international space community engagement.
• International Charter: Space and Major DisasterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAE assumed leadership of the Charter for 6-month period (April-October 2026). Working with national partners including National Emergency Crisis Authority, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and Space42 to support disaster response through satellite data.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NASA: US national space agency operating civil space exploration, Earth observation, and aeronautics programs. Most directly comparable to UAE Space Agency as a government civil space authority conducting deep space missions (Mars, asteroid exploration) and Earth observation under a federal mandate. UAE is a founding Artemis Accords signatory and bilateral partner.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales): France's national space agency with civil space exploration, EO, and SSA responsibilities. Closely comparable as a federal civilian space authority; handed the International Charter presidency to UAE in April 2026 and is a bilateral partner on lunar/Mars cooperation.
• European Space Agency (ESA): Multilateral European space agency coordinating national contributions to space exploration, EO, and navigation programs. Comparable to UAE Space Agency in coordinating cross-border cooperation, operating EO constellations, and engaging in planetary missions.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency): Japan's national space agency with a portfolio of deep space exploration (Hayabusa asteroid missions, Martian moons), EO constellations, and navigation satellite augmentation. Closely comparable in mission mix—asteroid belt science, navigation, EO—and bilateral partner of UAE.
• Roscosmos: Russia's federal space agency with historic capabilities in launch, human spaceflight, and planetary science. Listed as bilateral partner of UAE Space Agency; comparable as a national civil/military space authority.
• KASA (Korea AeroSpace Administration): Korea's recently established national space agency (2024), pursuing lunar exploration and commercial space ecosystem development. Comparable to UAE Space Agency as a newer civil space authority with bilateral cooperation discussions underway at Space Symposium 2026.
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): India's national space agency executing both deep space missions (Mangalyaan/Mars) and operational EO/communications satellite programs on a comparable scale of ambition. Strong peer for UAE given shared positioning as emerging-market space powers pursuing planetary science alongside applied satellite programs.
• China National Space Administration (CNSA): China's national space agency executing lunar and Mars exploration, EO, and crewed spaceflight programs. Listed as bilateral cooperation partner of UAE Space Agency; comparable in scale of national ambition and mission portfolio breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Space42: UAE-headquartered satellite operator and AI-powered geospatial analytics company (Yahsat/BAYANAT merger). Strategic partner of UAE Space Agency, with Space42's CEO sitting on the Agency's board and joint development of the GIQ platform; a primary commercial vehicle for UAE space ecosystem activity.

Regional players

• Bahrain National Space Science Agency (NSSA): Bahrain's national space science agency focused on satellite programs and regional cooperation. Closest geographic/regional peer to UAE Space Agency among smaller Gulf space authorities, with bilateral cooperation agreements in place.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uaespaceagency
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXqutLUeLDkZDZ9LNhqrTtQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/UAESpaceAgency
• Instagraminstagram.com/uaespaceagency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UAE Space Agency