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NanoRacks to Make Space More Accessible to the World from the United Arab Emirates / Hub71

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – NanoRacks, the world’s leading provider of commercial access to space, is pleased to announce that it’s opening and staffing its first office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, a global tech ecosystem driven by Mubadala Investment Company, backed by the Abu Dhabi Government’s Ghadan 21 program. This expansion highlights NanoRacks commitment to the growing space sector in the UAE and will offer end-to-end customer service and technical advice for a fast-developing customer base in the Middle East, Africa, and South East Asia region.

Hub71 welcomes NanoRacks as one of its first tech-companies to be on-boarded alongside strategic partners Microsoft, SoftBank Vision Fund and Mubadala. The tech hub aims to have over 100 technology start-ups by 2022 and is actively seeking to support more transformational tech-businesses like NanoRacks to enable innovation and growth within the technology sector, making for economic and social impact within the Emirates.

“The teams in the UAE, especially the Space Agency, have been excellent partners as NanoRacks develops in the region, and we’re beyond excited to grow with the nation as space exploration becomes a part of the local DNA,” says NanoRacks Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, Allen Herbert. “NanoRacks mission is to make the wonders of space accessible to everyone around the world, and we can’t wait to explore the universe with the incredible institutions, agencies, companies, and students in the region.”

“It’s very exciting to have our first US space tech company on board at Hub71. With Starburst, the world’s number one aerospace accelerator coming to Hub71 soon, NanoRacks will have the full support it needs to scale-up – whether that’s fundraising, mentorship or finding commercial opportunities. Hub71 aims to be home to globally enduring tech companies like NanoRacks who are eager to capitalize on the regions’ commercial opportunities.” Says Mahmoud Adi, Head of Hub71.

Recently, NanoRacks launched the MySat-1 CubeSat, the first payload that the Company has brought to orbit from the UAE. MySat-1, a joint program from Yahsat, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and Northrop Grumman, is set to deploy via NanoRacks from the Cygnus spacecraft in the first quarter of 2019.

At the 2019 Global Space Congress, NanoRacks also displayed, in coordination with DreamUp and the UAE Space Agency, and UAE University, that the company would be launching a UAE Palm Tree growth experiment (“Palm Trees in Space”) to the International Space Station, in alignment with the launch of the first-ever Emirati astronaut. Today, the Palm tree is successfully growing in orbit, and more can be seen here.

“We’re appreciative of everyone in the UAE for providing such wonderful hospitality towards Allen and everyone on the NanoRacks team,” says NanoRacks CEO Jeffrey Manber. “We look forward to being a leading partner in the country for years to come.”

Additionally, NanoRacks, also in partnership with DreamUp and the Higher Colleges of Technology of UAE, is facilitating the “Tests in Orbit” contest, a program set to bring two UAE student research experiments to the International Space Station. More information about the contest can be found here.

“Our work in the region is just getting started,” continues Herbert. “Over the next few months, we plan to have a lot of exciting announcements, including new customers, partnerships, and programs. Keep your eyes on NanoRacks!”


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