Masdar News

Youth 4 Sustainability members prepare for take-off with space-focused activation

05 Oct 2020
Youth

The UAE is leading the Arab region and making considerable progress in the space sector, members of the Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) platform heard during a series of virtual workshops and lectures focused on the space industry last week.

Young people enrolled in Y4S’s Future Sustainability Leaders program had the opportunity to attend sessions at the Global Aerospace Summit, hosted by Mubadala and EDGE on September 28 and 29, to learn about the local aerospace sector and hear from industry experts.

During the two-day virtual Summit, Y4S members learned about the challenges presented by the global pandemic on the aviation industry and how these challenges can be overcome through research and development, as well as sustainability measures.

Through the National Space Policy and the National Space Strategy 2030, the UAE is striving to build a strong and sustainable space sector that contributes to vital industries and supports the growth of the nation. 

Following their participation in the Summit, and as part of the year-long program, Y4S members completed the ‘Space Curiosity workshop to further their understanding of the UAE’s overall space program and strategy. 

Participants had the opportunity to hear from Noora Al Rafi, Manager of Policies and Studies, at the Mohamed Bin Rashid Centre for Space (MBRSC). Al Rafi spoke about the center’s pioneering DubaiSat 1 launch in 2009, how they are promoting gender equality, and future missions. 

The center is responsible for KhalifaSat, one of the most technologically advanced remote sensing observation satellite.

Naser Al Rashedi, Fatima Alshamsi and Hamda Alhosani from the UAE Space Agency spoke about space regulations and career opportunities within the sector, including opportunities for entrepreneurship and development for youth. 

The UAE is actively educating and developing young people through a number of programs and initiatives to involve them in the space sector.  The UAE Space Agency oversees the ‘Arab Space

Pioneers Program’, which aims to build Arab expertise in space, and equips young professionals with the skills they need to lead a career in space. 

The Y4S platform, and year-long program is made possible through the support of principle sponsor the Department of Energy, strategic partner, Mubadala and supporting partner, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.