MIDDLE EAST SPACE SECTOR ON COURSE TO ROCKET TO $75bn BY 2032, SAY EXPERTS

Muscat conference hears region has potential to take 8.5 per cent share of global market by start of next decade

The Middle East’s space sector could be worth $75 billion by 2032, helping to play a crucial role in the global space economy in the coming decade, according to new research.

Released yesterday at the Middle East Space Conference in Muscat, the white paper by consultancy Euroconsult lists rapid growth in the region, including investment in satellites, services and exploration.

The study, titled Beyond the Stars: Middle East’s Space Ecosystem on the Move, says the region’s space economy tripled in the past decade to an estimated $25 billion last year and would take a share of 8.5 per cent in the global space economy by the start of the next decade.

The UAE is leading the way in the region. The country has sent two astronauts to the International Space Station – with two more, including the first female Emirati astronaut, currently completing training.

The UAE is also developing the region’s most advanced satellites and on Sunday confirmed the signing of a deal to provide an airlock module for Nasa’s planned Moon orbit station.

Steve Bochinger, affiliate executive adviser to Euroconsult, the organiser of the conference, said the rise was due to a “shifting power balance” in the global space arena.

“If you look back 25 years ago, space was essentially reserved and concentrated in terms of investment and capabilities into a few historical space nations that were dominating the landscape,” he said. “This landscape has diversified massively and we are truly not a multipolar environment.

“More than 80 countries invest in space and that’s because space has proved a valuable investment for countries to support their social economic development, but also to address strategic challenges in a complex geopolitical environment.

“And in this context, I think the Middle East is actually one of the most – if not the most – dynamic regions, in terms of acceleration of government strategies and ambitions.”

Officials from space agencies in the region spoke about their projects at the conference.

Mohammed Algassim, sector head of planning and development at the Saudi Space Agency, said his government’s focus would be on space exploration and science, and to develop the kingdom’s private sector.

Last year, Saudi Arabia sent two astronauts – Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab woman to embark on a space mission, and Ali Al Qarni – to the ISS.

They carried out an eight-day mission on the orbiting laboratory, where they joined Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi – who was on a six-month mission. This brought the number of Arabs in space at one time to a record figure of three.

“New space activities, those that have potential to be viable, the government will step in and work on those – for example space debris removal, the International Space Station and sector enablement,” said Mr Algassim.

“So, the focus of the government would be on the non-commercial activities – 70 per cent of the budget will go there and the focus of the private sector will be on the downstream value added services.”

Omani officials also shared their plans, including the construction of a commercial spaceport and a research centre designed for simulation missions and experiments.

A contract with space flight consultant UK Launch Services was awarded last year to help develop the spaceport in the Omani port of Duqm.

This would be able to support small and big launch vehicles, which could help Oman and neighbouring countries gain easier access to space.

The country is also working with universities to launch space engineering labs.

“One thing that we are also focusing on is to develop startups in the space sector,” said Dr Ali Al Shidhani, undersecretary of the Ministry, Communications and Information Technology in Oman.

“The ministry is working on launching a space accelerator to help.”

The Middle East is one of the most dynamic regions, in terms of the acceleration of strategies and ambitions

STEVE BOCHINGER

Executive adviser to Euroconsult