https://arab.news/wtcn4
RIYADH: The UAE’s space sector is charting a course toward a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on technical and scientific innovation, according to the director general of the country’s space agency.
Speaking during the “Securing the Future” panel at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Salem Butti Salem Al-Qubaisi outlined a series of major flagship space projects, particularly in exploration, aimed at achieving this vision.
“There is a main driver in our government to develop a new knowledge-based economy and that’s, you know, spread out and reflected in many of the mainstream strategies in the UAE. The space sector is chosen to be an enabler for this transformation,” he said.
His comments align with the UAE Space Agency’s core mission: to push the boundaries of space science and technology within the nation, propelling the industry forward.
In the same panel, Pierre Beaudoin, chairman of the board at Bombardier, shared insights into the aviation sector’s post-pandemic rebound. “Seems like the order book has improved, travel demand has been recovering as well, routes are opening up,” he noted.
On his part, Brendan Nelson, senior vice president at Boeing Co., highlighted the challenges in predicting post-pandemic demand for commercial air travel.
“At the moment our biggest challenge is supply chains and keeping up with our production of commercial airplanes to deliver to our customers,” Nelson stressed.
Furthermore, Stefano Pontecorvo, chairman of Leonardo Ambassador, revealed how the aerospace, defense, and security firm is transitioning into a cybersecurity-focused company.
He emphasized that even cutting-edge technologies like satellite construction and tank development now require robust cyber defenses to disable systems without interrupting critical operations.