Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Nov 14: The UAE has taken a bold leap in space innovation with the launch of the Middle East’s first private human spaceflight training centre — a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to astronaut readiness, space medicine, and simulated mission environments. The centre marks a major public-private effort to build homegrown expertise, attract global partnerships and open new doors for commercial space tourism.
Developed by BLINC Space Limited in collaboration with investor Prabhav Sharma, Chairman of AlphaX Holding, the new Human Spaceflight Training Centre is the only licensed private facility of its kind in the UAE. It promises to cater not only to national missions but also to private clients, researchers and future space tourists seeking professional-grade astronaut training.
Former NASA administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. praised the initiative, calling it a game-changer for the region’s contribution to space medicine and human performance research.
Training for the final frontier
The centre has been designed as a specialised hub to prepare individuals for long-duration missions. Courses focus on:
• Space medicine: Preparing the body for microgravity and high-stress launch conditions.
• Human performance: Enhancing endurance, resilience and psychological strength.
• Advanced simulations: High-precision training modules that mimic real space environments.
From survival training to mission-simulation weeks, the programme offers a mix of short workshops and extended professional tracks guided by international experts.
Exclusive entry, global reach
As a private venture, the selection process will be highly exclusive. Unlike national astronaut programmes with strict government criteria, this centre targets:
• Private individuals aiming for space tourism
• Scientific researchers
• Corporate and commercial mission specialists
Enrollment details, including eligibility and application windows, will be shared directly by BLINC Space or AlphaX Holding. Candidates can expect rigorous physical and psychological screening.
Costs under wraps
Training fees — typically running into hundreds of thousands of dollars internationally — remain undisclosed. Packages will vary based on duration, medical support and mission requirements. Operators say course fees will reflect the centre’s advanced simulators, medical infrastructure and specialised instruction teams.
With the UAE already fostering a thriving ecosystem of space academies and youth training programmes, this new private centre aims to raise the bar even higher — offering world-class astronaut preparation for a new generation of explorers.