They are guided by the stars: how Arab countries are developing space programs
The Arab world is rapidly developing space, although it remains dependent on technology from other countries. The UAE is launching interplanetary missions and developing national personnel, Saudi Arabia is forming a team of astronauts, and Qatar is expanding its satellite infrastructure. There are billions of dollars behind the projects. At the same time, some of the programs are implemented with the participation of Russian specialists, from astronaut training to satellite launches. Will these efforts lead to a real technological breakthrough or only to symbolic success, according to the Izvestia article.
The UAE is the leader of the Arab space
The United Arab Emirates has become a pioneer among Arab countries in space exploration. In 2021, the Hope probe successfully entered Mars orbit, becoming the first Arab interplanetary mission. By 2026, the country was increasing its pace: the MBZ-SAT and UnionSat satellites were launched, agreements were signed with NASA on the creation of an airlock module for the Gateway lunar station and with Thales Alenia Space. The plans are to launch an automatic interplanetary station MBR Explorer to the main asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter by 2028.
The UAE's investments in the space sector exceeded $6 billion by 2023, while spending on civilian programs amounted to about $443 million in 2024-2025. There are more than 200 companies in the country, including international ones, engaged in satellite technologies. The National Space Academy trains engineers and astronauts — there are already several Emiratis in the squad who have completed training at NASA and the ISS.
— Arab countries are demonstrating a rare ambition for the region in space exploration. Investments are already yielding concrete results: national personnel are being created, satellites are being launched, and interplanetary missions are being implemented. However, for a real technological breakthrough, it is important not only to finance, but also to develop our own production base and independent launches," Saudi economist Eid Al-Eid commented to Izvestia.
Saudi Arabia is not far behind: in 2023, two of its astronauts, including the first woman Rayana Barnavi, visited the ISS as part of the Axiom-2 mission. By 2025, a sustainable training program for professional astronauts has been launched. The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) focuses on satellite technology, scientific experiments, and economic diversification as part of its strategic Vision 2030 program. Saudi Arabia's space sector was estimated at $8.7 billion in 2024, with a forecast to grow to $31.6 billion by 2035.
Qatar is investing about $220 million in civilian space programs, including radio frequency monitoring and groundwater exploration projects with NASA. The main focus is on commercial satellites and infrastructure for global communications.
According to orientalist Leonid Tsukanov, the sharp increase in the interest of the Persian Gulf countries in space is largely of an image nature. Space programs remain extremely expensive, and most Arab States have not progressed beyond launching satellites on their own. The development of full—fledged space projects is considered by the Arabian monarchies as an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to participate in the global "space race" on a par with the leading powers - Russia, China and the United States.
Cooperation of Arab countries with Russia in space
Some of the Arab countries' initiatives are being implemented with the participation of Russian specialists. Saudi Arabia has been discussing cooperation programs with Roscosmos since 2019, including astronaut training and launch technologies. The first Emirati astronaut, Hazza Al-Mansoori, flew on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, and the UAE signed a peaceful space agreement with Russia in 2021. The launches of Emirati satellites from the Vostochny cosmodrome were widely announced.
Russia is also actively cooperating with other Arab countries: Algeria and Egypt are receiving specialist training, satellite launch services and assistance in protecting the space environment. Thanks to an agreement with Russian companies SPUTNIX and GK Launch Services, the first Tunisian satellite, Challenge One, was launched in 2021. Russia was also preparing the first Tunisian female astronaut to fly to the ISS.
Launch of the Challenge One satellite in 2021
Leonid Tsukanov noted that the participation of Russian specialists and technologies is of practical value for the region. Our experience in space exploration is in demand in a number of areas, from scientific research to applied tasks, including personnel training and infrastructure development, participation in the Russian Space Station project, and general support for regional space programs. In the Middle East, there remains interest in expanding partnership with Russia in this area, including from the Arabian monarchies.
According to Eid Al-Eid, Russia plays an important role as a partner: the training of Arab astronauts, the launch of satellites from Russian sites and technology transfer create a platform for accelerated development of the industry. The volume of investments of the Persian Gulf countries in space has exceeded $25 billion over the past decade, the forecast until 2032 is $75 billion. These investments are already bearing fruit: technology transfer, training of thousands of specialists, and job creation in high-tech industries. However, it will take time for a real breakthrough: many technologies are still being imported, but there are no independent launches. If investments continue and cooperation, including Russian cooperation, deepens, the region can become a new center for space innovation.
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