Artist’s rendition of satellites orbiting the Earth – rottenman/123RF Stock Photo
We often talk about the latest satellite launches on the blog, and these are generally from China, United States, India, or Europe – the current powerhouses of Earth Observation (EO). However, there have a been several announcements over the last week from other countries looking to enhance their space and EO sectors.
United Arab Emirates
A joint venture has been established to significantly increase the United Arab Emirates’ sovereign space capabilities over the next five years, by developing a fully integrated EO ecosystem alongside advancing their leadership role in Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered space solutions. This is all part of the UAE Space Strategy 2030, with the aim of the country becoming a major force in the EO sector.
The joint venture is a Dh378 million agreement between the two UAE based companies, Space42 and the EDGE Group’s space company, FADA. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and hope to develop a centre for manufacturing and deploying space assets from within the country using the experience of FADA.
Once deployed, the satellites will also be operated from within the country harnessing Space42’s knowledge of geospatial analytics and AI. In addition, Space42 will provide data from its constellation of synthetic-aperture radar satellites. This will increase EO capabilities, both for government and commercial applications, as well as enhancing the development of the next generation of satellites.
Oman
Oman also announced last week it’s intention to launch five rockets this year, from its new Etlaq spaceport in the south-east of the country. The spaceport has been in development for the last two years, and although it had its first launch at the end of last year, the coming vertical launches are expected to be:
- UNITY-1 mission in late April, in conjunction with UK-based launch company Advanced Propulsion Technologies.
- Duqm-2 is expected in late June, a collaboration between New Zealand-based Stellar Kinetics in partnership with Etlaq’s parent company, NASCOM. This will be followed by Duqm-3 in October, and Duqm-4 in December
- Ambition-3 in November, with Kuwait Space Rocket’s Ambition-3
These launches will be focussed on understanding how to repeat launches, as the long-term aim will be to have tens of launches each year. This suggests there will be no payloads on the launches at this stage. However, Oman is looking to offer public viewing galleries for the launches.
It’s hoped that Oman’s spaceport will create new opportunities and potential for neighbouring nations looking to expand their space sectors.
Malaysia
Last week Malaysia also announced that their National Remote Sensing Satellite Development Programme (PSPJN) is set to launch operations in 2028. This is part of the country’s ambitions to enhance their space capabilities as set out in their National Space Policy 2030 document. The programme aims to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign satellite data, by further developing their own satellites.
It was also confirmed that the Malaysian Space Authority had agreed to ratify two key space treaties under the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, namely:
- 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, and
- 1975 Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
Summary
It is exciting to see the sector expanding across the globe, which will enhance and develop EO knowledge, skills, and data availability. The EO sector could be coming to a sort of crossroads where new powerhouses will emerge to dethrone the current big beasts of the sector. However, there’s also the question of space sustainability with the increasing number of objects in space and the impact of deorbiting space debris. The coming years are certainly going to be exciting and interesting.
