“Blast Off to the Future: National Space Academy Teams Up with EDGE for Innovative Satellite Engineering Initiative”
The National Space Academy, an initiative by the UAE Space Agency aimed at nurturing a proficient and future-ready domestic workforce, has unveiled the Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Program (SMSE) in collaboration with EDGE.
Executed in partnership with EDGE affiliates FADA and BEACON RED, the SMSE program aspires to cultivate the UAE’s next generation of satellite engineers, system architects, and mission leaders through practical space mission systems training.
This program empowers Emirati professionals, scholars, and graduates with specialized knowledge in satellite mission design, space systems engineering, and mission operations, equipping them to enhance and expedite the growth of the UAE’s space capabilities.
H.E. Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, stated:
“Cultivating local talent is a crucial foundation of the UAE Space Agency’s strategy to guarantee the longevity of the space sector. We are dedicated to qualifying and training young local professionals and refining their skills in alignment with the highest global standards to effectively lead future space initiatives and missions, while bolstering the UAE’s status as a global pioneer in innovation and scientific and technological progress.”
Al Qubaisi added: “Through the National Space Academy, one of our transformative projects, and the courses it provides, we aim to create a cohesive educational and training framework that merges theoretical and practical elements and meets the demands of the labor market. This is a significant stride toward enhancing the UAE’s capability to adapt to the challenges of the upcoming phase.”
Waleid Al Mesmari, President – Space & Cyber Technologies, EDGE Group, remarked: “The UAE’s achievements in space will ultimately rely on our capacity to foster a new generation of technically proficient Emiratis ready to spearhead intricate space missions.”
“Through this program, we are not merely imparting world-class knowledge and hands-on experience but also reinforcing EDGE’s dedication to advancing the UAE’s space sector through capability enhancement at every tier.”
“In collaboration with the UAE Space Agency, we are establishing a solid foundation that amalgamates education, industry insights, and strategic vision to enable Emirati professionals to shape and lead the future of our space pursuits.”
The ten-week program, scheduled from 16 September to 20 November 2025 at the UAE Space Agency’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, BEACON RED’s state-of-the-art training center, and FADA’s facilities, integrates in-person technical training with online modules led by a prestigious lineup of local and international industry experts.
Participants will acquire hands-on experience across five core modules, including 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 comprehensive planning, design, and validation of an authentic satellite mission.
The curriculum is crafted to provide extensive technical education through practical lab work and project applications using industry-standard tools and software, while nurturing a strategic comprehension of operational planning through site visits to leading UAE aerospace and technology firms.
Exclusively open to UAE nationals, the program targets professionals engaged in public or private organizations within the space sector, as well as academic researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. It also encourages applications from graduates possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher qualifications.
