This informal CPD article ‘The Growing Space Ecosystem in the MENA Region’ was provided by Advanced Rocket Technologies, a UK-based aerospace company focused on developing and launching reusable suborbital and orbital-class space vehicles from MENA.
Over the past decade the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have seen an increase in public and private interest in space activities. Governments have launched national space strategies, research institutions have expanded satellite programmes, and universities are establishing student-led initiatives that introduce hands-on engineering experience. These developments reflect broader national objectives—economic diversification, environmental monitoring, and improved communications infrastructure—that drive sustained investment in space capabilities (1).
Emerging market segments
Several market segments are showing distinct growth across MENA. First, the small-satellite sector—including Cube and Can Sats—has lowered the barrier to entry for research institutions and startups seeking to develop practical applications such as Earth observation, and scientific experimentation (2). Second, suborbital and localized launch services are gaining interest as a means to provide research flight opportunities for educational payloads without the cost and complexity of orbital launches. Third, downstream applications (precision agriculture, maritime monitoring, urban planning) are creating commercial demand for satellite- services, enabling value chains that extend beyond hardware into data products and services (1)(3).
Regulatory and operational challenges
Growth brings regulatory and operational complexity. Export control regimes, which vary by country, can restrict the transfer of certain aerospace components, and navigating these frameworks is critical for cross-border collaboration (4). Launch activities require careful safety oversight, airspace coordination, environmental impact assessments, and community engagement to meet national and international standards. Additionally, spectrum allocation for satellite communications involves coordination with international bodies and national regulators to secure frequencies and avoid interference (5).
Workforce and skills development
A sustainable regional space ecosystem depends on a multi-disciplinary workforce: propulsion engineers, avionics specialists, systems engineers, software and data scientists. Effective skills development combines theoretical instruction with hands-on practice. Practical learning formats—such as mission-design projects, lab-based avionics and telemetry exercises, and student satellite builds—help translate classroom concepts into operational competence (2). Embedding these activities into university curricula, vocational training and continuing professional development helps create a talent pipeline and enables experienced engineers to transition into space-focused roles.
Collaboration and ecosystem building
Public–private partnerships and cross-border academic collaborations are powerful enablers. Shared facilities, such as ground-test labs or telemetry stations, reduce capital burdens and create focal points for regional cooperation. Participation in international technical forums and standards bodies helps domestic actors align with global best practices and opens pathways to launch opportunities and mentorship networks (3).
Indicators of maturity
Measuring progress requires clear indicators: numbers of locally designed payloads, frequency of student-led launch experiments, growth of downstream service providers, and adoption of transparent regulatory frameworks that balance safety with innovation. Sustainable growth is supported by policy measures that encourage research and development funding, seed investment mechanisms, predictable procurement paths for local industry, and education-to-employment linkages (1)(4).
Conclusion
The MENA region stands at an inflection point for space activity. By focusing on practical education, transparent regulatory frameworks, and collaborative models that link government, academia and industry, stakeholders can develop the human capital and institutional capacity needed to support both research and commercial ventures. Targeted investments in hands-on training, university-industry projects and shared infrastructure will be critical to ensure the region converts current momentum into long-term, sustainable capability.
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REFERENCES
(1) Space Foundation — The Space Report (annual industry analyses and regional trends).
(2) United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) — capacity building and small satellite initiatives.
(3) International Astronautical Federation (IAF) — conference proceedings on small satellites and regional development.
(4) National export control guidance and international export control regimes (e.g., Wassenaar Arrangement; national licensing frameworks).
(5) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) — spectrum allocation and coordination for satellite services.
