The agency is charged with the growth of the sector through partnerships, academic programmes and investments in R&D, commercial initiatives, and driving space science research and exploration.

The United Arab Emirates' interest in astronomy and space sciences dates back to the 1970s when His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met with the NASA team responsible for the Apollo moon landing.

[7] On January 4, 2025 The United Arab Emirates entered a new space partnership to send its first Emirati astronaut to orbit the Moon.

This collaboration aligns with the UAE's long-term investment in space exploration and scientific innovation, aiming to work alongside international partners to enable collective progress for all.

[12] The Emirates Mars Mission is being undertaken by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, a Government of Dubai entity.

[15] The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced on June 25, 2024, they successfully completed phase 2 of the Mars mission.

[16] On 29 September 2020, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the UAE's uncrewed mission to the Moon in 2024, as the country was seeking to expand its space sector.

Sheikh Mohammed also said that the rover named "Rashid", after his father who is credited with modernizing Dubai, will cover "areas not yet reached in previous exploration missions".