Business France and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), in partnership with the Embassy of France to the United Arab Emirates, organized the third edition of French Space Days UAE in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The two-day initiative convened 15 French companies alongside Emirati space leaders to advance industrial, technological, and commercial partnerships across the space value chain.
Participating French companies included CT Engineering Group, Exail, Infinite Orbits, Orus Space, Look Up Space, Coros Space, SpaceDreamS, Unseenlabs, Safran Space, Mecano ID, Cailabs, Satinox, Skynopy, Ride!, and U-Space. The delegation brought expertise covering satellite systems, Earth observation, launch systems, telecommunications, orbital operations, and space sustainability.
The event coincided with key bilateral commercial developments, including CNES securing dedicated capacity on Orbitworks’ Altair constellation under a multi-year agreement signed in August 2026. Orbitworks—a joint venture between UAE-based Marlan Space and French-American entity Loft Orbital—manufactures the AI-enabled Earth observation constellation in Abu Dhabi. The constellation’s first satellite, Altair-1, successfully reached orbit on October 1, 2026.
Evolution of Bilateral Space Frameworks
Strategic space ties between France and the UAE date back to a 2015 framework agreement between CNES and the UAE Space Agency. In 2018, CNES established a permanent representation at the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first foreign space agency with a dedicated office in the UAE.
Institutional cooperation encompasses several joint scientific and technical projects:
- Rashid-2 Lunar Rover: CNES and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) are collaborating on the mission, with CNES supplying CASPEX imaging technology and supporting image processing and mission operations
- LEONAV Prototype: Since 2022, CNES and the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) have collaborated on a low-Earth-orbit positioning, navigation, and timing prototype, with active contributions from French industrial partners including U-Space, Safran Space, and Thales.
Program Operations and Site Engagements
The initiative opened on October 12 at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) in Abu Dhabi, addressing sovereign capabilities, space-data applications, New Space operations, and space asset protection. The schedule combined high-level presentations and targeted B2B networking sessions with institutional visits to Space42, Orbitworks’ satellite manufacturing facilities, and MBRSC in Dubai. Executive networking concluded with an official reception at the Residence of France to the United Arab Emirates.
Stakeholder Statements
H.E. Marie Audouard, Ambassador of France to the UAE, highlighted that bilateral relations have expanded from traditional industrial programs into co-development, co-industrialization, and shared capabilities spanning science, technology, and commercial space ventures.
Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director General of ECSSR, emphasized the strategic role of space in driving economic growth, technological capability, and national resilience, noting that French Space Days UAE supports the ongoing development of the global space ecosystem.
Agency Background
Business France is the national agency responsible for supporting the international growth of the French economy through export development and foreign investment facilitation. Operating across 53 countries with over 1,400 personnel, the agency supported trade and investment initiatives in 2025 that generated over €2.5 billion in export revenues for French midsize firms and SMEs.
