UAE’s Cosmic Confidence: Crafting a Robust Space Security Network

DR. Rebecca Connolly –

As the militarization of outer space escalates, nations across the globe are acknowledging that space situational awareness (SSA) has transformed from a mere luxury into a critical strategic requirement. The competency to predict, identify, and assess threats in orbit is fundamental to all facets of contemporary military and national security policy-making. For the United Arab Emirates, which has swiftly evolved from an emerging space player to a global policy trailblazer, SSA acts as both a protective shield and a strategic advantage.

At a national level, the UAE has consistently enhanced its technical capabilities for space observation and monitoring. The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) oversees national space safety, debris management, and the surveillance of extraterrestrial activities. This structure embodies a crucial awareness that SSA is essential for protecting national assets and ensuring resilience against interruptions. The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST) administers the UAE Meteor Monitoring Network (UAEMMN). Its primary objective is to observe natural meteors and fireballs that penetrate Earth’s atmosphere. Notably, the system is also capable of detecting man-made space debris during atmospheric re-entry, as its optical cameras capture any luminous entry events. These initiatives, conducted under the supervision of UAESA, lay the foundational elements for the UAE’s sovereign SSA capacity.

Achieving space security necessitates collaborative efforts. The UAE understood this early on, becoming one of the pioneering nations in the Middle East to sign a Space Situational Awareness Data Sharing Agreement with the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in 2016. This alliance allows the UAE to both access and contribute to global orbital data repositories, thereby enhancing its capabilities to identify and counterpotential threats.

On the diplomatic front, the UAE has risen as a prominent champion for the safe and sustainable utilization of outer space. Earlier this year, it made a groundbreaking proposal to form an Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) under the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This pioneering initiative, supported by a diverse coalition of member states, has been pivotal in establishing a formal UN mechanism aimed at promoting data-sharing, transparency, and best practices in space operations. The UAE’s appointment as Chair of the Expert Group further emphasizes its burgeoning influence as a norm-shaper in global space governance.

Modern defense operations depend on secure, dependable, and responsive access to space-enabled systems necessary for communications, navigation, and intelligence gathering. SSA forms the bedrock for safeguarding these critical assets. To effectively identify and evaluate imminent threats to its satellites and infrastructure, the UAE must continue developing national strategies for sharing space information, operational coordination, system interoperability, and the establishment of safety protocols for space activities.

As regional authorities persist in enhancing their military space capabilities, the UAE must adopt a strategy that strikes a balance between defensive readiness, diplomatic prudence, and international collaboration. Space security initiates with awareness. The ability to observe, comprehend, and forecast activities in orbit delivers an unparalleled strategic edge. For the UAE, maintaining access to SSA data is an indispensable tool for deterrence and a cornerstone for national security.

About the Author

Dr. Rebecca Connolly is the 2025 McCain Fulbright Scholar at the United States Naval Academy, where she imparts knowledge on space power and international law. Previously, she was the Australian 2023 Thawley Scholar in International Security, focusing on policy research regarding space and national security. Dr. Connolly serves as a Senior Expert at AzurX, contributing to strategic initiatives on space governance and national security throughout the Middle East. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of the SpaceCyT Institute based in Australia. Additionally, Dr. Connolly has delivered guest lectures at Harvard University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She holds a Master of Laws and a PhD from the University of Sydney, specializing in the intersection of strategy and legal governance concerning outer space, particularly pertaining to its commercialization, militarization, and security aspects.