IAC 2021: Dubai kicks off 72nd edition of 5-day International Space event

UAE kicked off 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) on Monday, October 25 in its prestigious city of Dubai. Touted as world’s largest and most prestigious global space event by UAE’s government, event is being held at Dubai World Tre Centre and will conclude on October 29, informed official press release. Jointly organised by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and International Astronautical Federation (IAF), exhibition event has commenced with me, ‘Inspire, Innovate & Discover for Benefit of Mankind’.

UAE’s vice president and Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, tweeted and expressed his elation for hosting International Space exhibition for world. 

IAC will host over 4,000 visitors, 110 country delegations

In a press release presented a day before event, UAE government revealed that over 4,000 registered visitors from across globe will converge upon Dubai emirate along with delegations from over 110 countries. Besides, event, which has over 30 elite sponsors, will be run by 90 exhibitors including 350 young professionals and space experts.

“Hosting IAC is an important milestone for us that will help consolidate our position in league of space-faring nations. We are confident that this Congress will help inspire countries within region to embark on ir space exploration journeys as well,” said Ham Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of MBRSC.

As per press release, event is being conducted by sponsors from different categories such as platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Sponsors in platinum category include Lockheed Martin, and gold category includes European Space Agency, JAXA, and UAE Space Agency. silver sponsors are Airbus, Azercosmos, AWS, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, while Blue Origin, Endurosat, Nanoracks and ors fall among bronze sponsors.

Purpose of event

As me suggests, this year’s IAC is aiming to provide a global platform to exhibitors to showcase ir capabilities along with ir experience, contributions and innovations in space sector. participants will be allowed to do so through a plenary programme developed by IAC International Programme Committee Steering Group. In programme, 183 technical sessions, 18 special sessions, 12 symposium keynotes and over 150 interactive presentations will be conducted and over 2,800 research and scientific papers related to space domain will be presented. 

With commencement of this event, Dubai became first country to host such an event and has opened gates to Middle East for global Space sector. UAE has achieved significant milestones in space race as it is only Arab country to have sent a probe to Mars along with sending a woman for training at NASA.

Image: Twitter/@HHShkMohd