Dennis Schulz

Every year, from October 4 to 10, the world celebrates World Space Week, a global event declared by the United Nations to highlight the contributions of science and technology to the advancement of humanity. For the UAE, this week is not just about celebrating achievements — it’s about showing how far vision, persistence, and innovation can take a young nation in a rapidly evolving space industry. The UAE’s journey into space has been nothing short of remarkable. From launching the Hope Probe to Mars to attempting the Emirates Lunar Mission with the Rashid Rover, the country continues to position itself as a serious player in global space exploration. The Rashid Rover, built entirely by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), aimed to explore uncharted lunar regions, studying the Moon’s soil composition, thermal behavior, and dust movement — data that will help shape future human exploration efforts. Though the mission faced challenges — the rover lost communication d...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a significant milestone by ranking 10th globally in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index. This annual report, published by Brand Finance, evaluates 193 countries based on insights from over 170,000 experts across policy, business, and civil society sectors. The UAE's ascent in this ranking underscores its growing influence and positive reputation on the international stage. A notable highlight from the report is the substantial increase in the UAE's Nation Brand value, which has risen from $1 trillion to $1.223 trillion in 2025. This impressive growth reflects the country's strategic investments and robust economic policies that have bolstered its global standing. The UAE's commitment to innovation, economic diversification, and cultural diplomacy has played a pivotal role in enhancing its national brand. In specific categories, the UAE has demonstrated exceptional performance: 4th in Future Growth Potential: Highlight...

In a monumental leap towards the stars, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set its sights on the cosmos with an unprecedented AED 40 billion investment in the space sector. Far beyond its iconic skyscrapers and luxurious resorts, the UAE is carving out a niche in space exploration, becoming a beacon of innovation and ambition in the global space community. At the forefront of this cosmic endeavor is the UAE's pioneering spirit, evident in its diverse range of initiatives spanning from space tourism to satellite manufacturing. With an eye towards the future, the nation is not merely content with sending astronauts to the International Space Station; it is boldly venturing into uncharted territories, seeking to redefine humanity's relationship with the cosmos. One of the key players driving this ambitious agenda is the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE's premier commercial satellite operator. With its commitment to providing secure satellit...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made remarkable strides in the space sector, with its most notable achievement being the successful launch of the "Hope" Mars probe in July 2020. The country has also been actively involved in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually pave the way for human exploration of Mars. The Artemis program, led by NASA, is an international collaborative effort to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the end of the 2020s. The program is named after Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, and is a fitting successor to the Apollo program that first landed humans on the Moon. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles and guidelines that participating nations in the Artemis program agree to adhere to. These principles include peaceful exploration, transparency, interoperability, and the protection of historical sites and artifacts on the Moon. The UAE joined the Artemis progra...