The event was part of Generation Space: The Space Fundamentals Training Programme, a scheme for early career professionals launched by the UAE Space Agency, Mubadala and Lockheed Martin.

They will receive training in the UAE and the United States.

The participants are undergoing 200 hours of rudimentary coursework before advancing to more complicated subjects.

They are completing part of the programme hosted by Lockheed Martin in the US. 

Their activities include observing US space professionals at work, touring Lockheed’s virtual reality engineering laboratory, and visiting satellite production facilities.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft is on an exploratory mission to a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu. It will be the first US mission to bring samples from an asteroid back to Earth.

Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said Generation Space would help to advance the country’s space aspirations.

"We are committed to instilling a sound scientific understanding among up-and-coming Emiratis as part of our efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy," he said.

Generation Space participants will also receive classroom training and guest lectures at the Lockheed Martin Centre for Innovation and Security Solutions in Masdar City.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre sent students to US universities this year as part of Hope, the UAE’s mission to Mars. 

The future space scientists and engineers are studying at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Quelle: The National UAE