Antalya:A new era of industrial space exploration, including lunar mining and establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, is on the horizon, according to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Agency's deputy director general.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ibrahim Hamza Al Qasim shared these insights at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Turkey. He emphasized the focus of future missions on extracting space resources, such as rare metals and raw materials that are scarce on Earth but plentiful in space.

Al Qasim highlighted the UAE's journey in space exploration, which began in 1997. He noted the country's development of significant capabilities over the past three decades, culminating in deep space exploration programs targeting the Moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt, with an anticipated launch in early 2028. He also mentioned the UAE's ambitious astronaut corps of four, two of whom have already traveled to the International Space Station or other destinations.

The deputy director general stressed the importance of private sector involvement over government funding in the UAE’s space initiatives. He pointed out that more than 50% of space funding now comes from the private sector, indicating a shift within the UAE's ecosystem.

Al Qasim also discussed how advancements in artificial intelligence and next-generation robotics are reducing barriers to entry, enabling emerging space programs to accomplish more than traditionally possible. He predicted that the next decade would witness significant missions, including humans returning to the Moon and the development of programs aimed at exploiting space resources.

The International Astronautical Congress is co-hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and the SAHA Istanbul defense cluster, and organized by the Industry and Technology Ministry, with Anadolu serving as its global communications partner.