UAE wins bid to host global space research conference

More than 3,000 experts expected to attend Cospar 2028

The UAE has won with its bid to host the Cospar 2028 space research conference. Photo: @HamdanMohammed / X

The UAE has won the bid to host Cospar 2028, a prestigious space research event.

More than 3,000 experts are expected to attend the event, which will be held in the Arab world for the first time.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, announced the news on X.

"We are pleased to announce that the UAE has won the bid to host Cospar 2028, the world’s largest event focused on space research," Sheikh Hamdan wrote.

"Set to be held for the first time in the Arab world, the event will bring together more than 3,000 researchers, experts, and scientists to present and discuss groundbreaking scientific research."

This year's edition, held in Athens, Greece, finished earlier this week.

Sheikh Hamdan said winning the bid was an indication of how the UAE had positioned itself as a global player in the space industry.

"The UAE has firmly established itself as a key hub for the global scientific community, particularly in the field of space research," he wrote.

"This has further enhanced our nation’s role in fostering significant international co-operation in the space sector.

"We thank the team at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, whose efforts have made this achievement possible."

Another giant leap

Earlier this month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met with Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati woman to be selected as an astronaut, and her colleague Mohammed Al Mulla.

The pair had just completed an intensive two-year astronaut training programme with Nasa, making them eligible for space flight.

They are aiming to follow in the footsteps of Hazza Al Mansouri, the UAE's first man in space, and Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, who returned from his six-month mission on board the International Space Station in September, and has since been appointed to the UAE Cabinet as Minister of State for Youth Affairs.

The UAE established a dedicated academy in November to help future generations of Emiratis build careers in the growing space sector.

The MBR Explorer by the UAE Space Agency will study seven rocks in the main asteroid belt. This is a rendering of the craft. Photo: UAE Space Agency

The MBR Explorer has enormous solar panels to help power its electrical solar propulsion system. Photo: UAE Space Agency

A rendering of the MBR Explorer, which is set to launch in 2028. Photo: UAE Space Agency

Space rocks in the main asteroid belt. Photo: Image via Lynette Cook/ W. M. Keck Observatory/ ROOM