The UAE Space Agency organised the Space Research Conference 2024 to align national research efforts with the UAE’s space sector priorities. The event brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, civil society, and public administration to raise awareness on the applications of space science and technology. By providing a platform for researchers, scientists, STEM students, and industry leaders to showcase innovations and discuss future prospects, the agency fostered cross-sector collaboration and strengthened national partnerships in space research.

Prerequisites:

• Identify relevant stakeholders the nation wants to involve

• Build collaborative relationship with relevant stakeholders

• Procurement pathway

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50-300K (program setup; varies widely)

• Includes: scoping & design, venue, AV and logistics, speaker travel and accommodation, communications and outreach, post-event reporting

Timeframe:

• Overall: 3–9 mo

• Phase: Concept (1–2 mo), Contracting & logistics (1–2 mo), Promotion & preparation (1–3 mo), Delivery & follow-up (1–1 mo)

Pros:

• Stakeholder Collaboration – Promotes cooperation among diverse stakeholders, enhancing coordination and shared outcomes.

• Awareness Building – Increases public and institutional awareness of the space sector and its strategic importance.

• Innovation Enablement – Fosters innovation through knowledge and technology sharing.

Considerations:

• High Resource Requirements – Involves significant allocation of time, funding, and personnel to plan, promote, and execute impactful national events.

• Stakeholder Engagement Uncertainty – Requires compelling outreach strategies to attract and retain interest from diverse sectors, with the risk of limited participation.

• Event Coordination Complexity – Entails managing intricate logistics, including scheduling, venue arrangements, and participation of high-profile individuals across sectors.