All systems go for UAE spaceport: Flights to start 'in next few years'

Abu Dhabi - When Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo potentially starts operating from the UAE, it will be paired with a carrier aircraft vehicle.

Now that the plan to launch spaceships from Al Ain has been green-lighted, officials are set to iron out the details that will make commercial space travel happen "in the next few years". The UAE Space Agency and Virgin Galactic on Monday revealed what it would take to bring people to space and what it means for the country.

For one, when Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo potentially starts operating from the UAE, it will be paired with a carrier aircraft vehicle. And besides bringing people out into the Milky Way, the spaceship docked in Al Ain will also serve as a platform for "high-frequency space research", the firms said in a statement that listed out the details of their partnership.

Khaleej Times reported last week that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for Al Ain Airport to be used as a spaceport for Virgin Galactic's flights. The latest statement confirmed that the MoU covers the development of the spaceship's operational plans for the airport.

Through the historic project, a 'centre of excellence' for microgravity research will also be developed in the UAE. The dual nature of the space travel agreement will drive innovation and spur industrial development and Stem education (science, technology, engineering and math) in the country, the firms said.

"(Signing the agreement) comes within the context of our recently announced National Plan for the Promotion of Space Investment, which aims to increase domestic and foreign investment in the UAE space sector. By working to develop our space ecosystem, we will be further contributing to the UAE's business-friendly environment and ensuring that space start-ups and investors feel welcome and have access to the unique space infrastructure they require to grow and develop," said Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency.

The agreement with the UAE comes on the heels of the successful commercial flights that Virgin Galactic launched in December 2018 and February 2019.

The partnership also builds upon the longtime UAE investment, held by Mubadala Investment Company, in Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company (TSC).

George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic and TSC, said: "We appreciate the UAE's commitment to our programme and we look forward to working with the UAE Space Agency and other partners in the UAE, as we work to inspire Emirati students and researchers to reach for the stars."

In a nutshell: What the UAE Space Agency-Virgin Galactic MoU covers

>Plan for a SpaceShipTwo and carrier aircraft vehicle pair that would be operated from the UAE

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