The National Space Academy, part of the transformative initiatives by the UAE Space Agency, in collaboration with the EDGE Group, announced the launch of the second cohort of its “Space Mission Design and Satellite Engineering” program yesterday.
This program will run for ten weeks, from September 16 to November 21, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi headquarters of the UAE Space Agency and at the Advanced Training Center along with specialized facilities provided by the `Space` and `Beacon Red` companies.
The inaugural day of the program featured a comprehensive kickoff, including keynote addresses from various leaders and officials from the UAE Space Agency and the EDGE Group. Participants were introduced to the program’s educational digital platform, which will accompany their training journey and support their development. The first day also provided opportunities for networking, idea exchange, and professional connections that will enhance their experience throughout the program.
Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, stated, “The launch of the second cohort of this specialized training pathway underscores the UAE’s commitment to developing national human capital and reinforcing its leading position in the field of space science and technology.”
He noted that the academy serves as a strategic platform for preparing a select group of talents capable of leading significant projects in space mission design and satellite construction, thereby accelerating the growth of the space sector and enhancing its role as a key driver of a sustainable knowledge-based economy.
Waleed Al-Masri, Head of the Space Technology and Cybersecurity Sector at EDGE Group, emphasized that the collaboration with the UAE Space Agency reflects the group’s ongoing commitment to supporting the nation in excellence and innovation by transferring top-notch global expertise and knowledge to national talents, empowering them to achieve their aspirations.
Meanwhile, Eng. Nasser Al-Rashedi, Director of the National Space Academy, mentioned in his opening speech that the selection process for candidates joining the program involved stringent criteria and assessment tests, resulting in the selection of 22 participants from 13 governmental, private, and academic institutions, as well as research organizations from diverse civilian and military sectors, all of whom are UAE nationals.