Middle East Space Monitor's Recommended Reading
A selection of recommended readings from the past week on the space and satellite sector in the Greater Middle East
Welcome to a new weekly post that will normally be published on Saturdays to provide the latest recommended reading, such as opinion pieces, reports, and studies, on the space and satellite sector in the Greater Middle East.
This week, the Middle East Space Monitor team recommends four recent opinion pieces:
Entrepreneurs: UAE and Europe Should Collaborate in the Global ‘Space Race’
In Arabian Business, Jean-François Morizur (co-founder of Cailabs) and Bogdan Gogulan (CEO of NewSpace Capital) write that the UAE has emerged as a significant player in the global space sector since launching its National Space Policy in 2017, focusing on ambitious goals like a Mars settlement by 2117 and revolutionising telecommunications infrastructure. This strategic shift away from oil and gas towards high-tech industries through space initiatives underscores its economic diversification efforts and enhances its global prestige and soft power. Moreover, space technologies are pivotal in addressing critical national challenges such as food security and climate change adaptation, while advancing communication and defense capabilities. In parallel, Europe, renowned for its advanced space technologies and robust innovation ecosystem, stands out as a key partner for the UAE. Both regions possess complementary strengths – Europe excels in photonics and Earth observation, while the UAE demonstrates exceptional scalability and governmental support in space infrastructure. Collaborating could unlock substantial synergies, leveraging European expertise to bolster UAE initiatives and providing European firms access to new markets and scaling opportunities. Such a partnership holds immense potential to tackle global challenges effectively while driving mutual economic growth and technological advancement in the space sector.
Viewpoint: Gulf State Money Cannot Buy Space Ingenuity and Innovation
In Space News, correspondent Jason Rainbow writes that Saudi Arabia, supported by its substantial sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is intensifying its efforts to establish itself as a significant player in the global space industry amidst rising commercial activity in the Middle East. The creation of Neo Space Group (NSG) by PIF signifies a strategic move to invest in both local and international commercial satellite opportunities. NSG aims to develop comprehensive capabilities in satellite communications, Earth observation, and navigation, alongside a venture capital fund for early-stage space investments. Meanwhile, the UAE is making significant strides in the space industry, with its flagship operator Yahsat receiving a $5.1 billion government pledge for satellite broadband services until 2043. This commitment includes a $1 billion advance for two new geostationary spacecraft, Al Yah-4 and Al Yah-5, set to launch in 2027 and 2028. Yahsat, a subsidiary of the UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, is planning to merge with geospatial intelligence provider Bayanat, potentially creating synergies between satellite communications and remote sensing enhanced by AI. The company is also exploring the direct-to-smartphone satellite services market, with plans to deploy prototype spacecraft as early as 2028 and potentially order up to 300 commercial satellites if tests prove successful. This ambitious expansion, coupled with the development of LEO satellites and the upcoming launch of Thuraya 4-NGS, demonstrates the UAE's commitment to becoming a major player in the global commercial space industry. However, industry analysts caution that while Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds can provide significant financial investment, success in the space industry also requires ingenuity and innovation that money alone cannot guarantee.
Space Cooperation Between India and Gulf States is Ripe for Growth
In The Geopolitics, analyst Noiranjana Kashyap writes that space cooperation between India and Arab Gulf states is ripe for growth. India's space programme, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) since its inception by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in 1969, has evolved into a prominent global player known for its cost-effective and efficient approach. ISRO's achievements include notable milestones such as the successful Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), launching a record 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017, and establishing the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). These accomplishments have positioned India as Asia's first nation to reach Mars, showcasing its capability in space exploration and satellite technology. ISRO's prowess extends to collaboration with a wide array of countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and particularly the Gulf states, where strategic alliances are crucial. The Gulf states, historically linked to India through trade, culture, and diaspora, are now investing in space technology to diversify their economies beyond oil. India, with its established space capabilities and geopolitical interests in the Persian Gulf, stands poised to enhance bilateral space partnerships with countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. These collaborations are pivotal for advancing mutual scientific and technological endeavours, leveraging outer space for peaceful purposes, and fostering economic growth through space industry development and innovation transfer.
Analyst: Israel’s Space Programme a Strategic Asset for the United States
Arthur Herman, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, discusses the importance and potential of Israel's space programme in a wide-ranging interview with Andrew Koss, senior editor at Mosaic Magazine. He emphasises that Israel's space industry represents a significant asset for both Israel and its allies, particularly the United States. Herman highlights the need for collaboration between Israel and the U.S. in developing quantum communication technologies for space applications, which could provide secure, hack-proof communications. He argues that Israel's approach to space, combining government strategy with private sector innovation, offers a model that could help the U.S. compete more effectively with China in space. Herman also discusses the challenges facing NASA and the U.S. space programme, suggesting that partnerships with countries like Israel could help address these issues. He emphasizes the growing importance of commercial space ventures and the need for government policy to keep pace with technological advancements. Finally, Herman speculates on the future of space warfare and exploration, suggesting that small, manoeuverable spacecraft may play a crucial role in the coming decades.