Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) receives the Inspiration Award for its achievements in the space sector locally and internationally

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has participated in the World Space Risk Forum (WSRF) 2016, the global event that brings together a large number of international experts and specialists in the field of space industry from around the world. During the opening session, the forum rewarded MBRSC with the Inspiration Award, as Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific & Technical Affairs at MBRSC, was handed the honorary shield from Laurent Lemaire, organizing host of the WSRF and Chairman and CEO of elseco, in recognition of the achievements made by the Centre in space science and space industry locally and internationally.
 
Commenting on the fact that the UAE hosts the forum, and MBRSC’s participation, HE Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of MBRSC, said: “Hosting the World Space Risk Forum in the UAE contributes to reinforcing our country’s position in the global space industry. The forum offers a platform to exchange experiences and practices, promote knowledge transfer, and create cooperation channels between decision makers involved in the space sector from around the world.”
 
Al Shaibani also thanked the forum for granting MBRSC the Inspiration Award, stating that he believes the centre’s accomplishments in space to be admired by many countries around the world. “In a short period of time, we’ve managed to achieve a great deal, including the launch of two satellites into space, building the first Remote Sensing Earth Observation Satellite using only Emirati expertise – KhalifaSat, and beginning work on the first Arab mission to explore outer space — with the Hope probe.
 
"The UAE’s space sector has a very ambitious strategy based on innovation, creativity, excellence and investment in human resources. We’re fully confident and hopeful that we will make qualitative development and advancement in the UAE space projects in line with the Centre's strategic plans, which aim to fulfill the aspirations of our leadership to make the UAE one of the leading countries in the space science industry by 2021,” Al Shaibani concluded.
 
During the forum, Al Marri delivered the opening speech, where he thanked Elseco, a leading insurance underwriting company specialised in the space, aviation and energy sectors, and one of the forum’s organizing entities. He highlighted the partnership between MBRSC and Elseco since the launch of the World Space Risk Forum in Dubai in 2010.
 
In his speech, Al Marri highlighted the achievements made by the UAE space programme across the past 10 years. He also addressed the risks associated with space missions, and emphasised the need for proactive and operational plans to assess and mitigate risks by government institutions and agencies launching space projects and missions.
 
Al Marri said: “By giving all countries and organisations equal opportunities to participate in the space industry, we can contribute to the growth of space technology. MBRSC continues to promote cooperation and coordination with the global space community in order to develop international frameworks to regulate space activities, with a view to building a sustainable space sector.”
 
Eng. Adnan Al Rais, Deputy Project Manager of the Emirates Mars Mission, participated in one of the conference sessions. He briefed participants on the most ambitious project in the UAE. He also highlighted the mission objectives and how one begins to gather data on Mars, before sharing it with the global space science community that have an interest in the Red Planet.