New satellite assembly facility to be built in the UAE
Centre will be constructed at the NSSTC facilities in Al Ain by Tawazun, Airbus and the National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC)
A new satellite assembly facility is to be built at National Space Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) in Al Ain, UAE.
The AIT (Assembly, Integration and Testing) Satellite Centre will be constructed by a collaboration between the Tawazun Economic Council, Airbus and the NSSTC. The partners revealed in a statement that the centre is intended to manufacture components as well as the assembly, integration and testing of satellites.
The centre is expected to commence operations at the beginning of 2021 and will develop and build communication, navigation and hyperspectral small to medium satellites ranging in size between 50 and 250 kilogrammes
Airbus is supporting NSSTC during the design, outfitting and commissioning of the facility, as well as managing the procurement, installation and operational qualification required for the equipment.
According to Tawazun, the project is part of its role as an industry enabler “dedicated to driving a collaborative defence and security ecosystem, securing and progressing technology development, and building national competencies and skills” within the UAE.
“This is our second project after Yahsat, and there are many more projects to come, as Tawazun works to further develop the UAE space sector,” said Matar Ali Al Romaithi, chief economic development officerstat, Tawazun. “The UAE is building and acquiring the knowledge required to become a regional hub for space activities and advanced research and development. This Centre is an integral part of those plans and consequently Tawazun has worked to make sure that it operates as a sustainable resource for the next five to seven years with a view to becoming permanent.
“We also value the significant contribution that Airbus is making to the Centre’s sustainability, as well as to the increase and development of our Emirati resource and expertise. NSSTC will accumulate critical knowledge from Airbus through this project, and our national competencies and skills will increase significantly.”
“The space industry is an important and strategic sector for the UAE, as it enables the development of high-level skills and drives innovation,” said Mikail Houari, President Africa and Middle East, Airbus.
“Airbus remains committed to supporting the advancement of all key elements of the UAE’s aerospace industry. For many years, we have worked closely in partnership with the nation’s leading industrial entities to help create new technological solutions and provide global expertise and experience to local talent. This new collaboration will support the future growth of the UAE’s space and satellite sector, contributing to the country’s economic diversification strategy. It will also support the continued efforts around Emiratisation, which will be vital for ensuring long-term sustainable development of the sector.”
The space industry in the UAE employs 3,000 people across at 50 related entities, five space research and development centres while three universities offer space industry-related degrees.
32 new jobs, including 22 for UAE nationals will now be created at the AIT Satellite Centre. They will work closely with Airbus which is providing training at its facilities in France – as well as locally.
“Part of the mandate for NSSTC was to develop satellite AIT capability, and it is a pleasure to form this partnership with Tawazun and Airbus to achieve that very objective,” said Dr Khaled Al Hashmi, director, NSSTC. “The UAE will soon have a fully autonomous AIT satellite capability, and this will benefit the country’s satellite programmes as well as further enhancing space-related skills within the country. The NSSTC will become the centre where the knowledge that Airbus has imparted will come together to support the UAE space sector.”
Funding is being provided by the UAE Space Agency which is also helping the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai0-initiated Arab 813 Satellite project get off the ground.
