Emirates launches new law to boost the space sector

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced the approval of the country's new Space Law. According to the WAM News Agency, the announcement was made at the UAE Space Agency (UESA) during an introductory workshop organized by the UAE government.

The workshop was held in Abu Dhabi, precisely to learn more about all aspects of this new space law, the first of its kind in the Arab world. As explained by the experts, the aim of this new law is to establish a clear legislative and regulatory framework in the country's space sector so that it is in line with other UAE regulations.

The new law is composed of nine chapters and 54 articles for the regulation of all the nation's space activities in addition to clearly delineating the role and functions of the UAE Space Agency in these matters.

Since the establishment of the national space agency in 2014, one of the UAE's objectives has been, and is, to increase its role and relevance in the space industry at the international level. Since then, it has made a strong commitment to scientific and field research to maximise the potential of the industry in this sector.

With the enactment of the new law, it is intended to tie up all the loose ends in space issues such as activity permits, insurance issues, accidents, regulations on future installations on other planets, registration of objects and space vehicles... and a wide range of other issues. A law to anticipate the successful development that the government foresees in the not too distant future. 

In fact, Dr Ahmed bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, director of UESA and also a minister in the current government, has explained the importance of this law for the future and the "strengthening of the international leadership position" it represents for the UAE in this field, as it is now "one of the few nations that have such laws, particularly as it covers relatively new activities not yet addressed by other regulations around the world," he told the media.

Another point, but no less important, that the new regulations are intended to achieve is the opening up of the space sector to the private sector. The intention is to expand investment with clearer regulation so that the sector can gain momentum. 

This year 2020, the UAE will launch a mission to the red planet, Mars, called the Hope Mars Mission. The idea is that the probe can take images and samples of the planet for research into its climate. This is the first mission of its kind in the entire Arab world and, in addition, the UAE is positioned as one of the only 9 countries worldwide that aspire to explore the famous red planet.

The probe is expected to reach Mars' orbit in 2021, providing a complete and clear picture of the Martian atmosphere and all its layers. The project is financed and supervised by UEASA, while the private space centre Mohammed bin Rashid is developing the construction of the probe. 

If everything goes according to plan, the HOPE probe will provide the clearest view yet of the atmosphere of Mars. The aim is to be able to study the planet's climate changes, find out more about the causes and try to solve the key questions about Mars that remain unanswered to this day. 

The UAE is therefore seeking scientific information on the unknowns of Mars and to integrate itself fully with the international space science community.