Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the UAE and the International Committee on Technical Interchange for Space Mission Operations as well as Ground Data Systems hosted the largest edition of the International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2023). The 17th edition was concluded with a grand closing ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
SpaceOps 2023, held for the first time ever in the Arab world, saw more than 1,100 participants from over 70 countries attend the 5-day event filled with plenary sessions, informative lectures, in-depth technical sessions, and interactive workshops. More than 100 sessions were held under the theme of the conference, ‘Invest in space to serve Earth and beyond’, with more than 550 papers and abstracts submitted from over 50 countries.
The closing ceremony of #SpaceOps2023 is now underway. pic.twitter.com/xXc0xiQRiK
— SpaceOps 2023 (@SpaceOps2023) March 10, 2023
In addition to the attendees, SpaceOps 2023 also saw the participation of seven space agencies from around the world, which includes NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), French Space Agency (CNES), Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). A total of 30 space exhibitors from around the world, also had their stands at the event’s exhibition showcasing the latest innovation and services in the space sector.
The 5-day event was endorsed by multiple sponsors from across the globe, including platinum sponsor GMV, gold sponsor Yahsat, silver sponsors, European Space Agency (ESA) and South Africa National Space Agency (SANSA), bronze sponsors, Telespazio, Agenzia Spaziole Italiana, SpaceNav and others.
Prior to the start of SpaceOps 2023, the SpaceOps committee, MBRSC and Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) organised the ‘Students and Young Professionals (SYP)’ program, which was attended by hundreds of youth from the UAE and around the world, and included student workshops, a discussion on women in SpaceOps, speed mentoring and a technical hour.