The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are charting ambitious trajectories towards becoming key players in the global space sector. Aiming for long-term economic resilience, enhanced geopolitical influence, and a prominent role in international dynamics, both nations are leveraging space as a pivotal avenue for growth and prestige. With their eyes set on the celestial frontier, the Gulf states are actively pursuing collaborations, notably with the United States, Russia, and China, to propel their space initiatives.
The space industry is relatively nascent in the UAE, having launched its agency, the UAE Space Agency (UAESA), in 2014. This organization primarily focuses on advancing the UAE’s role in space exploration and technology. Making headlines in 2019, the UAE became the first Arab nation to send an astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). Beyond milestones, the UAE has developed supporting institutions such as the National Space Academy and the Mohamed Bin Rashid Space Centre, which became a hub for scientific advancement. Missions like the Emirates Mars Mission and the upcoming Emirates Lunar Mission reflect the UAE’s broader aspiration to become a leader in space and a diversified economy.
Contrastingly, Saudi Arabia’s space agency, the Saudi Space Agency (SSA), was established later, in 2018, under similar objectives geared towards becoming a leader in the international space economy. Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, the SSA aims to foster innovation and collaboration, although it still faces the challenge of catching up with regional peers. Saudi Arabia made significant strides in 2023 by sending two astronauts to the ISS, including the first female astronaut, showcasing its commitment to space exploration. However, the Kingdom recognizes that partnerships will be crucial for its advancement in this arena.
Both nations are motivated by the necessity to pivot away from oil-based economies, seeking diversification and elevation on the global stage through various non-oil sectors. Their investments in space signify a strategic desire to amplify their geopolitical influence, balancing relations between Western and Eastern powers while focusing on maintaining neutrality in global conflicts. This approach is mirrored in their ambitious space industry initiatives.
The US has been a central partner for both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, facilitating their entry into the competitive space sector. In 2020, the UAE signed the Artemis Accords with the United States, outlining principles for space exploration cooperation, a move echoed by Saudi Arabia joining the Accords in 2022. These partnerships indicate both countries’ ambitions to enhance their geopolitical standing and compete with dominant global players. However, further collaboration is essential to strengthen these ties and maintain US influence in the region.
Washington aims to deepen NASA’s engagements with the UAESA and SSA, moving beyond signed agreements to include extensive astronaut training and joint missions. A notable example is Saudi’s recent collaboration with NASA, where the two astronauts reached the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from a NASA facility. The UAE has seen even more expansive collaboration with the US, highlighted by the Abu Dhabi Space Debate in 2024 where key space industry topics were discussed. Additionally, joint projects like the Hope Probe mission to Mars and upcoming efforts related to Gateway symbolize a commitment to significant cooperation in space exploration.
The role of the private sector also cannot be overstated, as US companies in space technology are increasingly engaging with both Gulf nations. Collaborations such as those between Axiom Space and Burjeel Holdings, as well as the joint venture Orbitworks by Marlan Space and Loft Orbital, demonstrate the growing involvement of American firms in the Gulf’s burgeoning space landscape. These partnerships highlight the commitment of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to increase their global engagement and competitiveness amid an evolving space industry.
The strategic advantages for the US in reinforcing its partnerships with the Gulf states are multifaceted. Strengthened collaboration can bolster US influence, improve defense and intelligence cooperation, enhance economic opportunities through partnerships with industry, and ultimately drive technological advancements resulting from joint projects. Increased investment in space can also facilitate job creation and research funding for US aerospace firms, significantly contributing to the technological ecosystem. Beyond tangible economic benefits, diplomacy in space fosters stronger bilateral ties, enhancing the soft power of the US in the region.
However, Washington faces rising competition from Russia and China, both of which are increasingly involved in the Gulf states’ space ambitions. Notably, Saudi astronauts have received training in Moscow, and the UAE, with its astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori’s journey to the ISS aboard a Russian rocket, highlights the latter’s role in the Gulf’s space plans. The UAE has also hosted Russian officials for discussions and events aimed at reinforcing collaborative efforts.
Parallelly, China is making significant inroads into the Gulf’s space sector, underscoring a rivalry for influence. Saudi Arabia’s role in contributing to China’s lunar ambitions and the partnership between the UAE and China for the International Lunar Research Station illustrate a strategic pivot towards Beijing. Moreover, talks with Chinese firms focused on satellite software transfer and technological cooperation further position China as a competitor in this rapidly evolving landscape.
As the geopolitical landscape matures and becomes increasingly multipolar, both Russia and China are vigorously pursuing relationships with the Gulf states to counterbalance US influence. Engaging regularly with the UAE and Saudi Arabia on these fronts is crucial for the US to maintain its regional foothold and counter the strategic advantages offered by Russian and Chinese partnerships.
The stakes are high; if the United States fails to actively engage in space collaboration with its Gulf allies, it risks allowing Russia and China to gain significant leverage, ultimately diminishing US influence both within spaceflight circles and at ground level. The Gulf states’ investments in their respective space programs create opportunities ripe for collaboration—collaboration that can yield scientific, economic, and technological benefits.
In conclusion, the United States must harness public and private sector engagement to deepen its commitments to the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s space ambitions, focusing on economic growth and international influence. As global dynamics shift toward a multipolar world, it is evident that space affairs hold profound implications that extend beyond celestial realms, emphasizing the critical importance of strategic collaboration in the face of emerging global challenges.
image source from：https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/geopolitics-in-orbit-what-gulf-moonshots-mean-for-washington/
