UNOOSA and MBRSC sign a Memorandum of Understanding for satellite payload hosting

The capacity-building portfolio under the Access to Space for All Initiative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is expanding. UNOOSA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote technical development and cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. 

Through this MoU, the two parties will provide opportunities in the Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI) which offers a cost-effective and modular satellite platform that can host multi-purpose payloads. PHI is intended 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.

This partnership will raise awareness of the role that space science and technology play in accelerating efforts towards sustainable socio-economic development, and contribute to building national capacity in spacecraft engineering, design and construction.

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo said: “Cooperating with MBRSC is a step forward in our endeavour 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.”

The Director General, MBRSC, Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, said: “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 programme 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.”