Middle East

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the leading UAE-based global satellite operator, announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Andrew Cole as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will assume the position from 1 July onwards.

By Talal AL Kaissi How things began, and where they are now: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has long looked to space as a domain we would like to make a meaningful contribution to for a variety of reasons. 

NSSTC-UAEU (The National Space Science and Technology Centre at United Arab Emirates University) and GomSpace signed a contract valued approx. EUR 440,000.

Thuraya, the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE’s Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), has signed a partnership agreement with Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), to distribute its products and services worldwide.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Agency digitally signed an agreement today to increase collaboration on the long-term sustainability of space activities and promote the use of space for sustainable development.

Following the successful launch and operation of Saudi Arabia’s newest commercial communications satellite, SaudiGeoSat-1 (SGS-1), Lockheed Martin has been selected to develop a new ground system to control, manage and operate the satellite. The Saudi Technology Development and Investment Company (TAQNIA) and Lockheed Martin will develop and deploy the new ground segment for the secure and commercial operations of SGS-1.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Space Communication Technologies LLC (SCT) issued on 3 June 2020 an invitation for consultancy bids to help the company determine the requirements for Oman’s first communications satellite.

Last week, NASA released "The Artemis Accords: Principles for a Safe, Peaceful and Prosperous Future." The aim of the Artemis program, according to NASA, is to "[L]and the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024, heralding in a new era for space exploration and utilization". I read the short, concise document that NASA  published with a great deal of interest, and a number of thoughts about international technology, economics, and politics came to mind.

SpaceWatch.Global wishes all of our Muslim friends and readers a Blessed Eid and our warm wishes to you and your families!  

The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, announced the scheduled launch of its Mars Hope Probe in a 495,000,000km journey to reach and orbit the Red Planet.