Ras Al Khaimah Spaceport
Few days ago, the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has announced the creation of RAK Airways, the UAE’s fourth national carrier which will start operations by the end of 2006. I thought, what the heck? Four carriers in UAE, what do they need all that for? And RAK… how many traveler do they actually have an annum?
Well, not after I heard some great news, which sounds related and actually justifies RAK Airways:
Space travel firm plans $265m RAK venture
Ras Al Khaimah - Space Adventures, the only company to have sent tourists into space, has announced plans to develop a commercial spaceport in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
From the Ras Al Khaimah spaceport, the firm will operate suborbital flights, a report in Gulf News said.
The project will cost $265 million, officials said.
The Russian-built suborbital vehicle called Explorer will have the capacity to transport up to five people to an altitude of nearly 100 km in space, but the project’s schedule is yet to be announced.
The spaceport will be funded among others by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and Space Adventures. The Virginia-based company is also partnering Ras Al Khaimah to expand the spaceport project beyond UAE to other potential space tourism locations such as Singapore and the US.
The UAE spaceport, to be located less than an hour’s drive from Dubai, already has commitments for $30 million.
“I am proud to announce Ras Al Khaimah as the site where commercial suborbital travel will flourish,” said Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler. “As a leader in tourism, the UAE is the ideal location for the spaceport,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures.The company was behind the trips of the world’s first three space tourists, sending Dennis Tito, Greg Oslen and Mark Shuttleworth to the International Space Station.
One of my dreams coming… closer!
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10 Comments on “Ras Al Khaimah Spaceport”
Ras Al-Khaimah is becoming more and more active on the global scene. Recently, George Mason University (based in the DC metro area) decided to build a campus in RAK. It’s interesting that they chose this small unknown emirate rather than Dubai, or Doha. I’m sure this new airline will help! Check out the campus: http://www.gmu.edu/rak/
Dear Haitham,
Let facts speak for themselves (Durkheim).
What the Leaders and people of the UAE are doing is right and should be encouraged.
Critique is welcome; but really instructive one.
I am living, working and carrying out research since years in Germany.
I studied international politics and read widely in sociology of development (i taught one year at the University of Hamburg Theories of development and moderniziation + in my Master exam, i read (Elias, Weber, Roberston, Parsons, Luhmann, Habermas, Held,
Theories of international relations, Theories of democracy and democratisation, theories of information society) ect etc.
I leanrt one thing: Let start, make something.
Personally, I can compare the UAE (small) with China (giant).
The UAE is going to be the HUB of TRADE between China and the rest of the world.
The future of the UAE is dependent of the future of China and Asia.
Let them invest, invest and invest in whatever (in technology, science, human capital in tourism in film industy in e-games in mobile technologies in space technologies in environmnet technologies in whatever.
I don’t see how a spaceport can be built so inexpensively but the visuals of rockets launching between the desert mountains and the sea will be excellent!
Guys do u belive this !!
This is all bullshit !!
Regards, An Emiraty From RAK…
Hey, I was just wondering if anyone who reads this actually lives in RAK? I’m planning on moving out there considering the way Dubai has become, I would prefer to live somewhere quieter… so… what’s it like there? are there a lot of young people, are there many expatriates? Is it a very conservative place? Are people looking for new and interesting things to do? Are there many restaurants and coffee shops? How similar is it to the ‘old dubai’?
I would really appreciate any help you all could offer! Thanx!
Manisha,
I’m not living there, but I can tell you from my past experience in UAE that it’s just like living in any ‘Indian’ city.
hi
Any body give in idea about living cost in RAk.I offered by by one MNC company for RAK. Salary is 5000 AED.and residance visa.Please give the idea of living Caost and saving. I am from India.Reply quick.
Neeraj