UAE-US space partnership continues to grow as Trump visit signals fresh momentum

ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)

The longstanding partnership between the UAE and the US in space exploration is entering a new chapter, driven by a wave of joint projects and a commitment to close cooperation. With US President Donald Trump visiting Abu Dhabi on Thursday, attention once again turns to the two nations' shared goal of expanding human presence beyond Earth.

Both the UAE and the US view space collaboration as a strategic pillar of their bilateral relationship. And, what began with a 2016 agreement on aeronautics research and the peaceful use of outer space has today grown into a broad alliance encompassing lunar missions, advanced satellites, and research aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Gateway to the Moon and Beyond
At the heart of this collaboration is the Emirates Airlock, a major contribution by the UAE to NASA's Gateway - the first space station set to orbit the Moon. Developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the airlock will enable astronauts and scientific equipment to move between the station and the lunar surface and pave the way for future crewed journeys to Mars. Under this partnership, a UAE astronaut will also join a future Artemis mission.

"At MBRSC, our foundational belief is that collaboration drives progress", said Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. "Our enduring partnership with NASA stands as a testament to this belief, and reflects our mutual commitment to scientific excellence, technological innovation and the advancement of humanity's understanding of space and beyond."

While lunar exploration remains a flagship effort, UAE-US cooperation is also advancing scientific frontiers aboard the ISS. American space infrastructure developer Axiom Space and UAE-based Burjeel Holdings have recently teamed up to study the effects of microgravity on human physiology. Beginning this spring, ISS-based astronauts will use Burjeel's advanced medical technologies to gather data that could inform healthcare innovations both in space and on Earth.

At the same time, the partnership is positioning the UAE as a regional hub for satellite technology. In January, BZ-SAT - the region's most advanced satellite - was successfully launched from California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

And later this year, Orbitworks, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi's Marlan Space and San Francisco's Loft Orbital, will begin testing its first satellite platform in the UAE, with plans to produce up to fifty 500-kilogramme satellites annually.

Collaboration as a Key Driver
These developments build on a history of collaboration that has delivered tangible scientific, diplomatic and technological achievements. Both nations were among the founding signatories of the Artemis Accords in 2020, which set out principles for safe, transparent, and sustainable exploration of outer space. This diplomatic framework has become a key pillar of global space governance, with more than 30 countries now on board.

The UAE's historic Hope Mars Mission, which entered Mars' orbit in 2021, also took shape through close partnerships with leading US institutions such as the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Their contributions ranged from designing the spacecraft to developing its scientific instruments, laying the groundwork for long-term research ties that continue to bring value to both Emirati and American scientists.

Speaking about the UAE-US partnership in human space flight, Karen Feldstein, NASA's Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations, said it demonstrates "how much can be achieved when nations work together toward common goals." Her remarks came during the 2023 "A Call from Space" event, co-hosted by the UAE Embassy, NASA, and the MBRSC, which brought together astronauts from both countries.

Future Ambitions
Looking ahead, the UAE is preparing for its next major venture - a mission to the asteroid belt, scheduled for launch in 2028. The mission plans to conduct high-speed flybys of six asteroids before deploying a small lander on the seventh.

Extending the cooperative model that has proven successful in past ventures, the bold endeavour will once again involve US partners, including the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego.

Against this backdrop, the Trump administration has put forward an $18.8 billion NASA budget for 2026, which largely focuses on Moon and Mars exploration - a goal that aligns with the UAE's own ambitions. With space collaboration a recurring focus in high-level US-UAE meetings, expectations are high that President Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi will give fresh momentum to this partnership and lead to new growth avenues.