UNIS/OS/588
4 October 2023

UNOOSA and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announce new opportunity under Access to Space for All umbrella

VIENNA, 4 October 2023 (United Nations Information Service) — The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates are opening a new round of their joint Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI) programme. Through PHI, each applying team can submit a proposal of a payload of a maximum Three Units (3U) in size, recognizing that the maximum space for the combined awardees will be Five Units (5U) in a Twelve Unit (12U) satellite platform provided by MBRSC.

This joint capacity-building effort promotes space science and technology in developing nations and economies in transition and fosters innovations that can help scale up activities in emerging space nations. The awardees of this second round will be able to fly their payloads on the PHI-2 mission targeted to launch in 2026. PHI is part of the Satellite Development Track of the United Nations Access to Space for All initiative which was launched in 2021.

UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini said: “PHI is a unique opportunity that enables teams to focus on their main payload and data analysis, as a first step of acquiring the capacity to develop a satellite. We look forward to having more teams benefit from our joint initiative and start their journey to space from PHI.”

Director General of MBRSC Salem Humaid AlMarri said: “The kick-off of the PHI-2 mission marks another milestone in our ongoing collaboration with UNOOSA to foster advancements in space science and technology. The Payload Hosting Initiative is pivotal in providing nations with unparalleled opportunities to explore and leverage space technologies. We are enthusiastic about the innovative projects and diverse payloads this round will bring forth, further strengthening international cooperation and contributing to the realization of the immense potential and benefits that space exploration holds for us all.” 

Interested teams can submit applications by 31 March 2024.

For more information, please see: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/PHI/PHI_Index.html

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For more information, please contact:

Access to Space for All Initiative Team
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Email: unoosa-access-to-space[at]un.org