The UAE government has strategically utilized space science to drive economic diversification, technological advancement, and international collaboration. In 2014, the UAE established the UAE Space Agency to coordinate and oversee the nation's space activities. This move was part of a broader policy initiative to transition from its economy to one cantered on knowledge and innovation. In 2017, the UAE approved the National Space Strategy 2030, outlining six primary goals implemented through 20 programs and 80 initiatives. Notably, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has been instrumental in these efforts, leading projects such as the Emirates Mars Mission ("Hope Probe"). The UAE's commitment to space science has also influenced its international policy and diplomacy by hosting several events related to space.

Prerequisites:

• Institutional & political interest and support for utilising space science

• Understand national

policies and identify national policies that utilise space science data

• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders involved in policy implementation

• Access to space science data and analysis capabilities

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 20k–250k

• Includes: literature review and baseline study, stakeholder consultations report drafting and validation, legal review, parliamentary passage/decrees if needed

Timeframe:

• Overall: 12–24 mo

• Phase: scoping & consultations (3–6 mo), draft policy/legal review (4–8 mo), approval & adoption (5–10 mo)

Pros:

• Policy Alignment – Increases the likelihood of government support by aligning projects with national priorities and goals.

Considerations:

• Policy Translation Delays – Involves extended timelines to convert strategic policy goals into operational programs, often delaying visible outcomes.

• Cross-Sector Coordination Demands – Requires collaboration across multiple government departments and agencies, which can be administratively complex and slow-moving.