UAE Space Agency at Japan Space Week

The UAE Space Agency announced on Thursday its participation in Japan Space Week, an event organised by the Japanese Embassy in the UAE to celebrate Japanese achievements in space.

Japan Space Week is running from 17th to 20th January and is focused on strengthening mutual relations and sharing expertise in space sciences and applications between the two countries. It will involve several meetings and panel discussions on space policies in both Japan and the UAE, with participation from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

The panel sessions will include discussions on means to support start-up companies in the space sector through developing the necessary infrastructure and environment, as well as allowing private sector companies to effectively develop capabilities and expertise needed for a fully integrated space sector. Participants will get the chance to hear from experts from Yahsat, Axel Space, a service and solution provider through the utilization of Microsatellites and Hakuto, a project team working on sending a lunar exploration robot to the moon in 2017.

The event will also include a visit to Zayed University by Naoko Yamazaki, a member of Space Policy Committee of Japan, Astronaut, and Member of Nasa Space Shuttle Mission STS-131 in 2010. She will speak about her experiences and journey into space as well as her path to achieving her dreams of becoming an astronaut. Yamazaki, famous for being the second Japanese woman and the first mother in space, will also encourage students to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career in the space sector.

Dr. Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said, "Achievements that are made within space in any country are a global celebration. Therefore, the UAE Space Agency aims to strengthen its relations with all countries that have advanced space sectors, especially in the areas of space explorations, policies, higher education, and scientific research. Japan has a successful long history in the space sector with several milestones achieved by its different programmes."

Al Romaithi added, "Through our participation in Japan Space Week, we aim to extend a hand of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest that benefits the people of both countries, which in turn will be part of the wider cooperation and trade partnerships that culminated in signing several important agreements, making the UAE Japan’s top trading partner in the region."

Dr. Mohamed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said, "Japan Space Week is a chance to learn about advanced institutions and expertise that Japan enjoys in the space sector, as well as benefiting from the Japanese experience to enrich the UAE’s different programmes, especially the "Hope Probe", which will be the first probe of its kind to study climate on Mars on an ongoing basis."

The Japanese delegation will include representatives from several prominent governmental and educational entities in the Japanese space sector, including the Space Policy Committee of Japan and Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics in the University of Tokyo.

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