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MBRSC team showcases national space projects at International Astronautical Congress

The MBRSC team took the opportunity to announce the preparations for hosting the event in Dubai in 2020 while also showcasing the nation's space initiatives to delegates at the 69th annual convention.
The team at the IAC event in Germany.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) participated in the 69th annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), in cooperation with the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). The conference was held from 1 to 5 October, in Bremen, Germany – one of the leading centres for space in Europe. This year’s conference was held under the theme ‘Involving Everyone’.

The high-level delegation from MBRSC was headed by His Excellency Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of the MBRSC, and included Eng. Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at MBRSC, Adnan Al Rais, Mars 2117 Programme Manager at MBRSC., and engineers and experts from MBRSC.

The delegation highlighted its preparations to host the 71st IAC, which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE, represented by MBRSC, won the right to host the 71st IAC in Dubai, after MBRSC submitted an official bid proposal to host it in Dubai in 2020.

39 of the UAE’s central bodies have provided their support to the Dubai bid to host the congress, including the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, which continues to support MBRSC in its efforts to ensure the success of the conference. Hosting IAC is an important step for Dubai in hosting the most important international conferences.

The delegation held special sessions with the conference management. Al Marri discussed the report done by the IAC 2020 Executive Committee, which included logistics arrangements such as the host site, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), as well as the technical aspect of selecting the conference’s teams and strategic partners.

The participants also discussed other topics related to space technology, in addition to the latest technical innovations that support the space sector.

Al Mansoori commended “MBRSC’s participation in IAC, one of the world’s leading platforms that brings together the most important figures in the global space community to discuss the challenges faced by those involved in the space sector, by presenting their researchs and practical experiences. The UAE is hosting this conference in conjunction with the launch of the Emirates Mars Mission – Hope probe in 2020, as it offers an opportunity to study the latest technologies and the possibility of employing them in the future to improve people’s lives”.

“MBRSC promotes innovative technology in the international arena by participating in specialised international conferences. These conferences are an important platform for MBRSC to present its projects and programmes and define its objectives. This supports the objectives of the UAE National Space Programme, and the UAE’s strategic objectives to build an economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation,” said Al Shaibani. Director General of MBRSC.

IAC, which is held annually, is considered one of the world’s most important specialised space conferences. The International Advisory Committee of the Conference changes the host country and the topic discussed by the participants, allowing everyone to learn more about NASA Deep Space Network. The participants are approximately 4,000 heads and senior executives of space agencies, decision-makers, researchers, academics and space specialists from 70 countries around the world. The conference consists of a scientific conference programme and an exhibition of the latest space technologies.