UAE Space Agency partners with Virgin Galactic:
25 March, 2019: UAE Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company that outlines cooperation across different areas including plans to bring Virgin Galactic spaceflights to the UAE for education, science, technology research as well as potential space tourism flights in the future.
The MoU was signed by Director General of the UAE Space Agency, Mohammed Al Ahbabi and CEO of Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company (TSC), George Whitesides.
According to the agreement both the parties will plan for a SpaceShipTwo and carrier aircraft vehicle pair that would be operated from the UAE, cooperate with each other to develop a “Center of Excellence” for microgravity research in the UAE and develop spaceship operational plans for UAE’s Al Ain airport.
H.E. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency said, “This significant agreement builds on our longstanding relationship with the Virgin Group, with whom the Mubadala Investment Company jointly owns Virgin Galactic. It also reflects the advanced stage of the UAE’s space sector and our rapidly developing capabilities which, together with our partners at Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company, can enable the UAE to contribute to the manufacturing of space vehicles and commence spaceport operations within the next few years.”
George Whitesides, Virgin Galactic & TSC’s CEO said, "We appreciate the UAE’s long commitment to our programme and we look forward to working with the UAE Space Agency and other partners in the UAE to push the frontiers of microgravity science, as together we inspire Emirati students and researchers to reach for the stars.”
“Today’s signing also comes within the context of our recently announced National Plan for the Promotion of Space Investment, which aims to increase domestic and foreign investment in the UAE space sector. By working to develop our space ecosystem, we will be further contributing to the UAE’s business-friendly environment and ensuring that space start-ups and investors feel welcome and have access to the unique space infrastructure they require to grow and develop,” said H.E. Al Ahbabi.
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