Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic to speak at the Global Space Technology Forum in Abu Dhabi

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The first event of its kind in the Middle East, and taking place from 16-18 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the forum has attracted the space industry's top government and private sector figures to join the three day conference programme.

Over thirty high calibre speakers will address a wide range of topics including new space technology and commercial markets, research and development, environment, energy and climate, regional space policy and strategies, defence and security.

Attenborough will deliver a key note presentation about Virgin Galactic (a company established by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group) and the challenges of developing commercial space tourism.

Virgin Galactic, which is currently in its developmental phase, will own and operate a fleet of privately built spaceships, modeled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft.

'The new fleet of spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in our history.' said Sharon Garrett, Head of Space Marketing and PR, Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Office, Dubai.

According to Garrett, the $200,000 price tag per person is just a fraction of the next most affordable way to go to space, which is in the millions.

'The intention of Virgin Galactic is to make space travel more and more affordable to people all around the world. Funds generated from the first few years of operation will be reinvested back into the business, striving to constantly improve access to space for not only passengers but also science.' she added.