Space is within easy reach of students living in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, India and Egypt, as students living in these countries can now learn more about space exploration and regularly interact with visiting astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, as well as take advantage of lower fares and priority reservations for NASA's highly popular Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

The development comes after the US Space and Rocket Centre, USSRC, an affiliate of NASA, appointed the UAE-based Compass International as its regional partner for the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, India and Egypt.

The agreement means that Compass will now be able to regularly host NASA astronauts and other luminaries in the UAE, India and other markets. Compass will also launch special packages for students aged from 7 to 18 that will allow youngsters to spend two weeks at the Space Camp, managed by the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, and closely experience various aspects of the space programme such as living in near zero gravity, fitness and dietary preparations, and other interactive learning methods.

"The passion for space exploration has been ignited in the GCC after we hosted well-known former NASA astronaut Dr. Donald Thomas in the region in April this year," Compass Managing Director, Lissy Donald, said. "We are delighted to be appointed by the US Space and Rocket Centre as the ambassador to represent them in the UAE region and encourage the younger generation to reach for the stars."

The 14-day Space Camp incorporates a range of interactive workshops, hands-on teaching sessions and real-life simulations to build creativity, responsibility, imagination and passion for space among its young participants. The camp focuses on STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to encourage the children's creativity.

"Over the years, Compass International has demonstrated a firm resolve to take the space philosophy among the youth in the GCC, India and Egypt and we are pleased to appoint them as our regional partners for these important market," said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the US Space and Rocket Centre. "By working closely with Compass, we can now regularly interact with students in these regions as well as build the future generation of space explorers."