A new private astronaut training center is set to open in the UAE, marking a major leap for the region’s ambitions in human spaceflight. Spearheaded by BLINC Space Limited and AlphaX Holding, the facility will train astronauts for orbital missions, support space medicine research, and foster international collaboration. It is the first and only private training center of its kind in the Middle East.
The desert heat presses against the high-tech glass of a futuristic dome rising from the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Inside, a group of wide-eyed recruits stands before a rotating centrifuge, the kind of machine you’d expect to find at NASA, not nestled near the golden dunes of the UAE. But this is no ordinary training ground — this is the future of spaceflight, and it’s launching right here in the Gulf.
BLINC Space Limited, in partnership with AlphaX Holding and visionary investor Prabhav Sharma, is opening the Middle East’s first private astronaut training center. The facility is a bold statement: the UAE is not content to watch from the sidelines. It wants a seat at the global table — or rather, a place on the launchpad.
"We are not just preparing astronauts; we are building a platform," Sharma says, his eyes scanning digital renderings of the center’s modular training labs. "This is about long-term capability, about making human spaceflight a regional reality."
The training center will focus on four key areas: astronaut readiness, human performance, space medicine, and advanced simulation. From zero-gravity chambers to pressure-suit testing, the center will mirror the conditions of space missions with surgical precision. Recruits will learn how to survive — and thrive — in orbit.
And this isn’t just a playground for enthusiasts. It’s a strategic hub designed to generate high-tech jobs, attract international partnerships, and elevate the UAE’s role in the competitive arena of space exploration. Discussions are already underway with NASA, ESA, and leading universities to establish research programs and cross-training opportunities.
Mac Malkawi, founder of BLINC and a trained astronaut scientist, sees this as the next logical step in the UAE’s space journey. "We’ve gone from Mars probes to orbital missions. Now, we’re building the infrastructure to sustain that momentum," he says. His voice rises with quiet pride as he watches a simulation of a lunar landing projected onto the training dome’s ceiling.
Former NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. and astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps have both praised the initiative, calling it a critical leap for global human spaceflight. "This is how nations build lasting capability," Bolden noted. Epps added, "Spaceflight belongs to every nation willing to invest in its people. The UAE is doing just that."
And the numbers back them up. Over the next ten years, the center aims to train hundreds of astronauts. Not just Emiratis — but a global cohort of spacefarers ready to venture beyond low Earth orbit. Each trainee will emerge with skills forged in one of the most advanced environments on Earth.
Beyond its scientific mission, the new training center is poised to become a magnet for investment and real estate development. Located in an emerging tech district near Abu Dhabi, the center is expected to drive demand for high-end residential housing, short-term accommodation for international scientists, and state-of-the-art commercial space for aerospace companies and start-ups.
As the UAE positions itself as a global space hub, the terrestrial dividends — from property to partnerships — are just beginning.
