National Space Academy Partners with EDGE to Launch Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Program
The National Space Academy, a UAE Space Agency initiative, has partnered with EDGE to launch the Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Program (SMSE). The program aims to create the next generation of satellite engineers, system architects, and mission leaders for the UAE. It will provide Emirati professionals, researchers, and graduates with specialized expertise in satellite mission design, space systems engineering, and mission operations. The program is delivered in collaboration with EDGE entities FADA and BEACON RED.
H.E. Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, stated, “Preparing local talents is a fundamental pillar of the UAE Space Agency’s strategy to ensure the sustainability of the space sector. We are committed to qualifying and training young local cadres and honing their skills 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 and scientific and technological advancement”.
Al Qubaisi added, “Through the National Space Academy, one of our transformational projects, and the courses it offers, we seek to develop an integrated educational and training system that combines theoretical and practical aspects and meets the needs of the labour market. This is a significant step to support the UAE’s ability to keep pace with the requirements of the next phase.”
Waleid Al Mesmari, President – Space & Cyber Technologies, EDGE Group, commented, “The UAE’s success in space will ultimately be defined by our ability to nurture a new generation of technically adept Emiratis equipped to lead complex space missions.” He continued, “Through this programme, 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. Together with the UAE Space Agency, we are building a robust foundation that integrates education, industry expertise and strategic foresight to empower Emirati professionals to shape and lead the future of our space endeavours.”
The ten-week program will run from September 16 to November 20, 2025, at the UAE Space Agency headquarters, BEACON RED’s training center, and FADA’s facilities. It will include in-person technical training and online modules led by local and international industry experts. The curriculum is designed to provide in-depth technical training through hands-on lab work and project applications using industry-standard tools. Participants will also gain a strategic understanding of operational planning through visits to leading UAE aerospace and technology organizations.
The program’s five core modules are:
- Designing Space Missions (DSM)
- Applied Space Systems Engineering (ASSE)
- Space System Verification and Validation (SSVV)
- Space Mission Operations (SMO)
- A Central Case Project (CCP) that simulates a complete satellite mission
The program is exclusively for UAE nationals. It is open to professionals in government and private space organizations, academic researchers in STEM, and graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
