HE DR MOHAMMED NASSER AL AHBABI

DIRECTOR GENERAL, UAE SPACE AGENCY ORIGIN UAE RESIDENCE UAE SECTOR TECHNOLOGY 2016 RANK 21

As the UAE prepares for its 2021 Hope probe mission to Mars, Dr Al Ahbabi is the man making sure all the necessary groundwork is in place as the head of space exploration, technology and research efforts. At the end of 2016 he indicated the agency was preparing plans for space tourism as part of laws regulating the space sector that will be issued this year. Dr Al Ahbabi is also coordinating public and private sector initiatives in the space sector, which is considered a key pillar in the diversification of the UAE’s economy, and the creation of the Middle East’s first dedicated space research centre. He previously served as a telecommunications officer in the UAE Armed Forced, project manager for the military division of Yahsat and led a UAE Armed Forces think tank project before taking a number of roles at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.