Aeronautics research agreement signed by NASA and United Arab Emirates
NewsJune 13, 2016
WASHINGTON. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and NASA officials have agreed to cooperate in aeronautics research, as well as the exploration and use of airspace and outer space. The cooperation was formalized with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and UAE Space Agency Chairman Dr. Khalifa Al signing the agreement at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The purpose of the agreement is for the peaceful use of outer space for humanity’s benefit. It covers cooperation and collaboration in space science, operational Earth observation and Earth science, aeronautics, space operations and exploration, education, technology, safety and mission assurance, among other areas with potential benefits to all nations.
In a statement released by NASA, Bolden says “I am confident this new framework agreement with the UAE Space Agency will help advance this journey, as well as other endeavors in the peaceful exploration of outer space. Already, technical experts from our two countries are engaged in discussions on several areas of mutual interest, and I believe our two agencies will collaborate for years to come through a common interest in aeronautics, exploration, and discovery.”
Under this agreement, NASA and UAE Space Agency also signed an Implementing Arrangement and will begin their collaboration in the exploration of Mars. The Implementing Arrangement establishes a joint steering group to guide discussions about potential future projects that contribute to exploring Mars.
The two countries will continue to identify additional areas of mutual interest for possible future cooperative programs or joint activities on Earth, in airspace, or in outer space. These activities may include the joint use of aircraft, scientific instruments aboard spacecraft, ground-based research facilities, spacecraft and space research platforms, as well as ground-based antennas for tracking, telemetry, and data acquisition.
“The reason why cooperation and collaboration are important to the UAE Space Agency is because we believe that working alongside international partners is the best way to accelerate the development of space technologies and the space sector within the UAE. The space sector serves as a catalysts for economic development and diversification, creating job opportunities and enabling scientists and engineers to become leaders of an industry that can bring huge benefits to our daily lives,” Al Romaithi says.
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