Australian Space Agency signs partnership with UAE space agency

Space experts say Australia is edging closer to having its own astronauts, teaming up with the UAE space agency to share learning.

Space experts say Australia is edging closer to having its own astronauts.

The Adelaide-based Australian Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding to work more closely with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency on Thursday.

Australian Space Agency deputy head Anthony Murfett said the deal presented an opportunity to learn from the UAE experience.

“We can collectively come together under the banner of space and explore what is out there,” he said.

The focus of the partnership will be on communications, robots, technology and even space medicine in the short-term.

Mr Murfett said Australia was also “watching with interest” as the UAE prepares to send two astronauts to the International Space Station in October.

“We’re always looking at the longer-term, at what is feasible with the changes in the market,” he said. “The access to human space flight for everyday (people) is getting closer and closer as we speak.”

Hamilton College Space School student Dana Santucci with Ghaya Shaddad, visiting from the UAE in the Mars surface room. Picture: AAP / Mark Brake

His space agency colleague Karl Rodrigues said having our own astronauts “is inevitable”.

UAE Space Agency director general Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi said his country’s two astronauts were selected from a pool of 4000 applicants.

“I’m sure you will do it one day very soon,” Dr Al Ahbabi said. “Access to space is becoming easier.”

The deal was signed at Lot Fourteen, the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site, which is home to the Australian Space Agency.

An arrangement is already in place between the State Government and the UAE, which involves access to the space industry sector as well as overseas students visiting the Hamilton Space School and studying short courses, such as the Space Studies Southern Hemisphere Program at UniSA. Four UAE students will graduate from the five-week course on Friday.