The Bahrain Space Agency (BSA) participated in the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Turkey, operating under the event’s overarching theme, The World Needs More Space.
Led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Asiri, the Bahraini delegation used the global platform to highlight national research initiatives, present technical papers, and expand bilateral partnerships across the international space sector.
Delegation Activities & Technical Contributions
- Research Presentations: Representatives from the agency submitted 13 scientific research papers detailing Bahrain’s ongoing work in advanced space technology development, localization, and applied research.
- Artemis Accords Summit: The delegation represented the Kingdom during the fifth meeting of heads of space agencies participating in the Artemis Accords, reaffirming Bahrain’s alignment with international frameworks for peaceful lunar and deep-space exploration.
- Third World Space Leaders Summit: Executive leadership took part in high-level discussions addressing sustainable space operations, capacity building, and regional sector growth.
- Bilateral Meetings: BSA officials conducted targeted meetings with international space agencies, satellite operators, and aerospace companies to discuss collaborative missions and tech-transfer opportunities.
Strategic Context
The delegation also included Amal Al Binali, Strategic Planning and Project Management Director, and Yaqoub Al Qassab, Space Engineering Specialist, both of whom contributed as speakers across specialized technical panels.
Bahrain’s involvement at IAC 2026 aligns with national objectives to establish a sustainable local space ecosystem, invest in native STEM capacity, and leverage space-derived data to support broader economic development goals across the Arabian Gulf.
