The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) will be hosting a UN/UAE Symposium on Basic Space Technology on (October 20, 2013) at Zayed University in Dubai. The event, which will run until October 23, 2013, is being held at the behest of the Government of Dubai in association with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).The symposium is approved by the United Nations Office for Outer Space affairs as an activity of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications under the Basic Space Technology Initiative (BSTI).
The four-day event is set to address key topics pertaining to space technology, with a particular focus on Capacity Building in Basic Space Technology, Infrastructure for Space Development, Launch Opportunities for Small Satellite Mission, and Small Satellite Programs for Earth Observation. It will also discuss Regulatory and Legal Issues, Space Technology Development Activities in Western Asia, Education Curriculum for Space Engineering, and the Future of BSTI.
During the first day of the symposium, Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, EIAST, presented participants with an overview of the DubaiSat series missions and the technology transfer and developments related to them. The event also saw exciting talks given by Dr. Rainier Sandau, an expert on space activities who has over 30 years experience in airborne and space borne missions; Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) whose first space flight was on the STS-114, which was the return to flight of the space shuttle after the Columbia disaster and Dr. Werner Balogh from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). The symposium is set to cover seven engaging sessions covering key topics ranging from 'Capacity Building in Basic Space Technology Development,' 'Launch Opportunities for Small Satellite Missions,' to 'Regulatory and Legal Issues' and 'Space Technology Development Activities in Western Asia.' The event will also feature engaging lectures on space technology development; panel discussions and presentation of case studies; demonstrations and a site visit to EIAST headquarters.
Dr.Werner Balogh UNOOSA, said: “Small satellites are increasingly proving their effectiveness in promoting education, basic space science and for operational applications. So, in line with BSTI, we aim to assist countries in establishing indigenous capacities in basic space technology and ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks. Our collaboration with the UAE and EIAST will go a long way in leveraging space technology and its applications for sustainable development not just in the UAE, but the whole of Western Asia.”
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology said: “EIAST was established to enable the UAE and its people to effectively use and exploit space technology for promoting growth and sustainable development. With the successful launch of DubaiSAT-1, DubaiSAT-2’s impending rollout, and DubaiSAT-3 on track for its 2017 orbit, we feel the journey has started out well. The symposium is integral to this strategic plan of establishing the UAE as a regional leader in space technology.”
BSTI organizes international symposiums on basic space technology in the regions covered by the United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Asia. The first meeting in this new series, the United Nations/Japan Nano-Satellite Symposium, was held last year in Japan for the Asia and the Pacific region.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 with the goal of promoting a culture of advanced scientific research and technology innovation in Dubai and the UAE, and enhancing technology innovation and scientific skills among UAE Nationals. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.
