Since its establishment in 2014, the UAE Space Agency has been leading an ambitious journey towards achieving leadership in space by implementing pioneering projects and initiatives, enhancing cooperation and strategic partnerships with international and local entities, and expanding research and development. This contributes to strengthening national capabilities and developing knowledge and expertise in this vital sector, and supports the consolidation of the UAE's position as a leading hub in space science and advanced technology.

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) Hope Probe, the first Arab and Islamic probe to reach the Red Planet, which was launched in July 2020, is one of the UAE's most remarkable achievements, making it one of only nine countries to explore this planet. Since its arrival in orbit around Mars, it has contributed to providing the international scientific community with 11 batches of scientific data about the Martian atmosphere of the planet Mars through the Science Data Center, in addition to publishing more than 19 scientific papers in prestigious international scientific journals out of 270 scientific papers for the mission. These papers have provided scientists and researchers around the world with a deeper understanding of the Martian atmosphere. This valuable data, which amounted to 5 terabytes, opened new horizons for scientific research, including unprecedented observations of the smallest Martian moon, Deimos, and its origin and composition.

As part of its efforts to promote scientific research and innovation and develop software and solutions to meet national and global challenges, the UAE Space Agency made a new achievement by launching the Space Data Centre, the first digital platform to collect and provide space data to scientists, researchers, public and private entities, startups and community members. This is one of the transformational projects announced by the UAE's government, which aims to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, to focus on creating the world's best and most active economy.

Furthermore, the UAE Space Agency also launched the Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform, a digital platform for earth observation applications. It provides access to satellite data to scientists, researchers, government and private institutions, start-ups, and community members to develop solutions that address national and global challenges in the form of space data applications and value-added services (VAS).

To continuously support the establishment, growth, and sustainability of local companies in the space sector, the UAE Space Agency launched the Space Economic Zones Program, which, to date, includes more than 180 companies in 3 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The program aims to enhance the space sector's contribution to the national economy and GDP, and increase the country's competitiveness internationally. The UAE Space Agency also signed a deal with Planet Labs, a pioneer in Earth data and insights, to build a satellite data-driven loss and damage atlas for global climate resilience.

One of its pioneering achievements is the announcement of its ambitious project, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), a key national scientific program with a mission to perform a series of close flybys to make unique observations of seven main belt asteroids. This mission  aims to build greater understanding of main belt asteroid characteristics, origins, formation and evolution. It has the potential to open new windows into our understanding of the formation of our solar system and developing scientific knowledge in this field. This mission will drive significant economic opportunities, including new start-ups, international partnerships, and inward investment to the UAE space sector.

The space sector is one of the most advanced sectors in the region, with total investments amounting to AED 40 billion. Commercial spending in the space sector increased by 29.51% in the last year. Additionally, the space sector's gross added value increased by 7.73% in the previous year. More than 30 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with international space agencies and an AED 3 billion National Space Fund was launched. One of the Fund's initiatives is the National Space Academy which aligns with its long-term vision and strategic objectives to enhance the sustainability of national space programs and promote human capital development.

In December 2022, the UAE Space Agency organised the Abu Dhabi Space Debate (ADSD), with the participation of space sector leaders and decision-makers from various countries. ADSD formed a unique platform for meeting and communication, and provided an opportunity to reach realtangible agreements and address pressing issues facing growth and innovation in the space sector. The event received wide participation from various stakeholders in the space sector, which enhanced opportunities for international cooperation. The Agency also announced organising the second edition of ADSD in December 2024. This confirms its constant commitment to developing this vital sector and achieving sustainability in space innovations and technology.

The UAE Space Agency's achievements reflect the UAE's continuous efforts and ambitious aspirations in the space sector. Through its pioneering projects and innovative initiatives, it seeks to enhance the UAE's position as a global hub for space science and advanced technolog. This opens new horizons for international cooperation and the development of scientific research. Inspired by the vision of the UAE leadership to achieve progress and sustainable growth, the UAE continues to lead this thriving sector to consolidate its position as one of the leading countries in space exploration and its future applications.