The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in order to encourage technical development and collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space.
As part of the MoU, the two parties will collaborate on the Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI), which provides a cost-effective and modular satellite platform that can host a variety of payloads.
“PHI is aimed to contribute to broadening space activities and applications and to advancing human resource development in line with the mission and objectives of UNOOSA’s Access to Space for All initiative, and MBRSC’s demonstrated commitment to promoting space science and technology,” according to the statement.
This collaboration will raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology in advancing efforts toward long-term socio-economic development, as well as contribute to national capacity building in spacecraft engineering, design, and construction.
Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani Director-General MBRSC
“We launched PHI to facilitate a greater understanding of the benefits of using satellite-related technologies as well as assist partners and entities to deploy and operate payloads in space on board our satellite. Our partnership with UNOOSA will further bolster this program and enable us to provide countries with better opportunities to deploy their planned space payloads using our platform and give access to space to developing nations. PHI will also act as a platform for new countries to enter space through cooperation with the UAE.”
Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director at UNOOSA said, “Cooperating with MBRSC is a step forward in our endeavor to bridge the space divide through the Access to Space for All Initiative. Together, we will support the development of space-related technical capabilities, infrastructure and human skills.”
“Utilizing MBRSC payload hosting capabilities, we will lower the entry barrier to access space and enable development teams to focus on their envisioned objectives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals,” Ms. Di Pippo added.
