An agreement signed by NASA and the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) in June 2016 established a framework for areas of co-operation in: ground-based research; sub-orbital research; research and flight activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO); and human and robotic exploration in the vicinity of the moon, on the lunar surface, and beyond.

At the 69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) — held in Bremen, Germany, 1-5 October — they signed an Implementing Arrangement (IA).

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said: “As NASA builds co-operation for the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilisation, we welcome the opportunity to expand our partnership with the UAE Space Agency.

“The UAE is currently working with US universities to build an orbiter — Hope — for launch in 2020 and reaching Mars in 2021.”

The new IA enables the training arrangements for UAE astronauts to be discussed.

It also provides further opportunities for the UAE to use the International Space Station (ISS), and for the UAESA to contribute to lunar exploration.

UAESA chairman HE Al Falasi said: “The signing of this agreement reflects the UAESA’s commitment to further strengthening partnerships with the most important space agencies around the world, with a shared aspiration to launch space exploration projects that benefit humanity in its entirety.

“It is also in line with the UAE’s objectives of bolstering its presence within the global space sector.”