- UAE’s National Space Academy launches a specialized Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Programme to train Emirati space professionals.
- The 10-week program offers hands-on training in satellite design, systems engineering, and mission operations, combining classroom and practical experiences.
- The initiative aims to build a future-ready workforce to advance the UAE’s space capabilities and global leadership in space innovation.
The UAE Space Agency, through its National Space Academy initiative, has launched the Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Programme (SMSE), a cutting-edge training effort designed to prepare the country’s next generation of satellite engineers, system architects, and mission leaders. Developed in collaboration with EDGE Group entities FADA and BEACON RED, the programme aims to equip Emirati professionals and graduates with the specialised skills necessary to advance the UAE’s ambitious space capabilities.
The SMSE programme combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on training in satellite mission design, space systems engineering, and mission operations. This comprehensive approach ensures that participants gain practical experience using industry-standard tools and software while developing a strategic understanding of space mission planning and execution.
Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, emphasized the critical role of local talent development in sustaining the nation’s space sector. “Preparing local talents is a fundamental pillar of the UAE Space Agency's strategy to ensure the sustainability of the space sector. We are committed to qualifying and training young local cadres and honing their skills according to the highest international standards to efficiently lead future space initiatives and missions, while strengthening the UAE's position as a global driver of innovation and scientific and technological advancement”, he said.
He further highlighted the National Space Academy’s role in creating an integrated education and training ecosystem that blends theoretical instruction with practical experience tailored to meet the labour market’s evolving needs. “This is a significant step to support the UAE’s ability to keep pace with the requirements of the next phase”, Al Qubaisi added.
Waleid Al Mesmari, President of Space & Cyber Technologies at EDGE Group, underscored the importance of nurturing Emirati talent to maintain the country’s leadership in space exploration. “The UAE’s success in space will ultimately be defined by our ability to nurture a new generation of technically adept Emiratis equipped to lead complex space missions. Through this programme, we are not only delivering world-class knowledge and hands-on experience but also reinforcing EDGE’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s space sector through capability development at every level”, he said.
The ten-week SMSE programme, scheduled from September 16 to November 20, 2025, will be conducted across multiple state-of-the-art locations including the UAE Space Agency headquarters in Abu Dhabi, BEACON RED’s advanced training centre, and FADA’s facilities. The curriculum is divided into five core modules: Designing Space Missions (DSM), Applied Space Systems Engineering (ASSE), Space System Verification and Validation (SSVV), Space Mission Operations (SMO), and a Central Case Project (CCP) that simulates the full lifecycle of a satellite mission.
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This unique training format combines in-person technical workshops, online learning, and immersive site visits to leading aerospace and technology organisations in the UAE, providing participants with a holistic learning experience.
The programme is exclusively open to UAE nationals currently working in government or private sector organisations within the space industry, as well as academic researchers in STEM fields. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees or higher qualifications are also encouraged to apply.
By fostering a highly skilled, mission-ready workforce, the SMSE programme is set to accelerate the UAE’s space ambitions and reinforce its standing as a global leader in space innovation and scientific excellence.
