The UAE Space Agency, through its National Space Academy initiative, has launched the Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Program (SMSE) in partnership with EDGE Group. The program is designed to develop a new generation of Emirati professionals equipped to drive the nation’s expanding space ambitions.

Delivered in collaboration with EDGE subsidiaries FADA and BEACON RED, the initiative offers specialized, hands-on training in space mission design, satellite engineering, and mission operations.

It targets Emirati professionals, STEM researchers, and recent graduates, providing advanced technical knowledge and practical experience to prepare them for leadership roles in space-related fields.

Running from September to November 2025, the ten-week course will be held across multiple locations, including the UAE Space Agency, BEACON RED’s training center, and FADA’s facilities.

Participants will engage in five core modules: Designing Space Missions, Applied Space Systems Engineering, Space System Verification and Validation, Space Mission Operations, and a Central Case Project simulating an end-to-end satellite mission.

The curriculum combines in-person lab sessions with online instruction led by local and international experts, along with field visits to major aerospace and technology institutions in the UAE, providing participants with exposure to real-world operations and tools.

It combines in-person labs, online instruction by local and international experts, and field visits to major aerospace and technology institutions across the UAE.

Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said the program supports the agency’s strategy to equip national talent for leadership roles in the space sector.

“We are committed to qualifying and training young local cadres according to the highest international standards to efficiently lead future space initiatives and missions, while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global driver of innovation,” he stated.

Waleid Al Mesmari, President of Space & Cyber Technologies at EDGE, highlighted the focus on developing local expertise. “Through this program, we are not only delivering world-class knowledge and hands-on experience but also reinforcing EDGE’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s space sector through capability development at every level,” he said.

Open exclusively to UAE nationals, the program targets space sector professionals, STEM researchers, and graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is a key element of the UAE’s strategy to develop sovereign space capabilities and enhance global competitiveness.