UAE to Launch First Private Astronaut Training Centre
<p>The United Arab Emirates is preparing to take another bold leap in its rapidly expanding space journey with the opening of a new <strong>private astronaut training Centre</strong>—the first facility of its kind in the Middle East. The centre, led by <strong>BLINC Space Limited</strong> in partnership with investor <strong>Prabhav Sharma</strong>, is designed to shape the next generation of astronauts, advance human spaceflight research, and strengthen the region's participation in global space missions.</p><p>The new facility will be the only private institution in the UAE licensed to conduct astronaut training. It is expected to play a transformative role in supporting government-backed space programmes as well as emerging private-sector missions. Its training modules will focus on astronaut readiness, space medicine, human performance, and high-fidelity simulations that replicate the realities of spaceflight.</p><h3><strong>A Major Step for Human Spaceflight in the Middle East</strong></h3><p>According to Prabhav Sharma, Chairman of AlphaX Holding, the centre reflects the UAE’s commitment to becoming a serious player in human spaceflight.<br><strong>“The UAE has everything required to contribute meaningfully to the future of space exploration. We are not just training astronauts; we are building a platform that allows the entire region to participate in global space efforts,”</strong> Sharma said.</p><p>The facility aims to accelerate the UAE’s growing influence in the international space community. Over the last decade, the Emirates has achieved several historic milestones—from sending its first astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori to the International Space Station, to launching the <strong>Hope Probe</strong> to Mars, to initiating the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission.</p><h3><strong>Training for Long-Duration Missions</strong></h3><p>Mac Malkawi, founder and CEO of BLINC Space Limited, and himself a trained astronaut scientist, emphasized that the new centre is designed to prepare astronauts for long-duration space missions and advanced orbital operations.<br><strong>“This partnership marks a significant milestone for the region. Our goal is to equip crews with the knowledge, skills, and infrastructure necessary for demanding missions, including extended stays in space,”</strong> Malkawi explained.</p><p>He added that the collaboration with AlphaX establishes a framework that encourages private-sector involvement in areas previously dominated solely by government programs.</p><h3><strong>Hundreds of Astronauts to Be Trained</strong></h3><p>The centre is expected to train <strong>hundreds of astronauts over the next decade</strong>, creating a strong talent pipeline for both national and international missions. Alongside its training capabilities, the institute will generate high-tech jobs and foster collaborations with leading global organisations.</p><p>BLINC Space has already initiated discussions with <strong>NASA</strong>, the <strong>European Space Agency (ESA)</strong>, and several top universities to establish research partnerships. These collaborations will focus on human performance, life-support systems, deep-space mission preparation, and the physiological challenges of long-term space travel.</p><h3><strong>Endorsements from Global Space Leaders</strong></h3><p>Former NASA Administrator <strong>Charles F. Bolden Jr.</strong> praised the initiative, calling it a powerful step toward building lasting space capabilities in the region.<br><strong>“A privately backed Human Spaceflight Training Center represents vision and ambition. It positions the UAE as a serious contributor to astronaut training, human performance, and space medicine,”</strong> Bolden said.</p><p>NASA astronaut <strong>Dr. Jeanette Epps</strong> echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the inclusive nature of modern space exploration.<br><strong>“Human spaceflight belongs to every nation willing to invest in its people. The UAE’s commitment, alongside BLINC’s expertise and AlphaX’s global perspective, gives the region a strong foundation to reach orbit—and far beyond,”</strong> she said.</p><h3><strong>A New Frontier for the UAE</strong></h3><p>For the UAE, the centre symbolizes more than a training facility—it represents the country’s next frontier. With its multi-billion-dirham investments in space science, Mars exploration, satellite development, and long-term lunar goals, the nation continues to pursue leadership in the global space economy.</p><p>Sharma believes the new centre encapsulates that vision perfectly:<br><strong>“Every generation needs a frontier, and ours is space. This centre stands as a statement that human space exploration can thrive through collaboration, innovation, and advanced training based here in the UAE.”</strong></p><h3><strong>Strengthening the UAE’s Role in Global Space Exploration</strong></h3><p>As the UAE expands its space capabilities, this private astronaut training centre will serve as a vital anchor for future missions—ranging from commercial flights and orbital research to deep-space exploration. Its arrival marks the next chapter in the UAE’s ambitious plan to establish itself as one of the world’s leading hubs for space science and human spaceflight.</p>