SpaceX in running to launch UAE astronauts

[Grendal]

United Arab Emirates to establish human spaceflight program - SpaceNews.com

In a panel discussion at the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) here Sept. 28, officials with the country’s new space agency said that the country sought to develop a “sustainable” human spaceflight program with scientific applications, rather than simply the prestige of flying humans in space.

 

[RDoc]

So OK, it's not just for "simply the prestige of flying humans in space". But what's the other 0.5% of the reason?

 

[GoTslaGo]

So OK, it's not just for "simply the prestige of flying humans in space". But what's the other 0.5% of the reason?

Research?

Experience?

Create an aspirational goal for future generations?
--ok, this may fall under the prestige thing, but hope and dreams tend to be crazy things.

I think it is wise that UAE is pursuing this.

In the US we can point to NASA, SpaceX, ULA, etc... We can point to these for our children and tell them that they can do these things... they can be future space-farers.

This cannot be said for the vast majority of countries in the world.