The United Arab Emirates is to build a new space research centre in Al Ain, which will act as an incubator for development and innovation for its planned unmanned mission to Mars.

Representing the country, the UAE Space Agency participated in United Nations (UN) meetings with the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This participation falls in line with the UAE Space Agency's objective to play a key role in the international space industry and benefit from principles of international cooperation and knowledge transfer.

International aerospace and space experts will convene in Abu Dhabi next March at the third Global Aerospace Summit to discuss the rapidly changing shape of space policy and regulation

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, together with Yahsat, the UAE satellite operator has said that approval has been received from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to incorporate a Space Systems and Technology concentration into seven of its Master of Science degree programes.

Virgin Galactic, owned by Abu Dhabi's Aabar Group and Richard Branon's Virgin Group, has named Nicola Pecile as the world's first commercial spacecraft's new pilot.

Virgin Galactic, part-owned by Aabar Investments of Abu Dhabi, has announced it has made significant progress with LauncherOne rocket propulsion after test firings.

The UAE Space Agency carried out an official visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to discuss opportunities of cooperation between the two organizations within the space sector.

The UAE Space Agency has recently gained membership to the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG), making the UAE the first Arab country to join the prestigious global organisation.