Charles Bolden, NASA administrator, and Khalifa Al Romaithi, UAE Space Agency chairman, sign collaboration agreement.

[Via Satellite 06-13-2016] NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and UAE Space Agency Chairman Khalifa Al Romaithi formalized and signed an agreement Sunday June 12 in Abu Dhabi for cooperation in areas of aeronautics research, and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes. The agreement covers cooperation and collaboration in space science, operational Earth observation and Earth science, aeronautics, space operations and exploration, education, technology, safety and mission assurance, and other areas with potential benefits to all nations.

According to NASA, the two countries will seek to identify additional areas of mutual interest for possible future cooperative programs or joint activities on Earth, in airspace, or in outer space. These activities may include the joint use of aircraft, scientific instruments aboard spacecraft, ground-based research facilities, spacecraft and space research platforms, as well as ground-based antennas for tracking, telemetry, and data acquisition.

NASA and the UAE Space Agency formalized cooperation in the exploration of Mars as the first field of collaboration between the agencies by signing an Implementing Arrangement under the framework. The Implementing Arrangement establishes a joint steering group to guide discussions about potential future projects that contribute to exploring the Red Planet.

Additionally, the two countries will aim to collaborate on education and public outreach programs and joint workshops, with the goal of facilitating the exchange of scientific data, scientists, engineers, and views and experiences on relevant regulatory frameworks and standards.