A revolutionary vision to transform space travel into an experience as routine as commercial aviation is being spearheaded by scientist-astronaut and philanthropist Malik (Mac) Malkawi through his Abu Dhabi-based organization, Borderless Labs Inc (Blinc). Founded in 2015, Blinc has evolved from its initial philanthropic mission of providing STEAM education to refugee camps into a comprehensive space initiative focusing on astronaut training, human spaceflight experiences, and educational outreach.
Malkawi draws a direct parallel between the current state of space travel and the early days of aviation. “Our job is to make astronautics and space the new aviation,” he stated in an interview with Khaleej Times, referencing how air travel transitioned from an exclusive luxury to commonplace transportation. This vision gains credibility following Virgin Galactic’s successful first commercial suborbital flight in June 2023, which reached 80 kilometers above ground.
The economic landscape supports this ambitious goal. According to the Space Foundation, the global space economy generated $570 billion in revenues in 2023, with commercial activities accounting for nearly 80% of industry operations. PricewaterhouseCoopers projects this could expand to approximately $2 trillion by 2040.
Blinc’s comprehensive training program includes G-force aerobatic flights conducted in partnership with ActionFlight Ras Al Khaimah, simulating the physical forces astronauts endure during launch and re-entry. Participants experience up to 4.5 Gs, temporarily making the body feel several times heavier than its actual weight—a critical preparation for space conditions.
The UAE’s unique advantages make it an ideal hub for this initiative. Malkawi highlights the country’s leadership vision, advanced infrastructure, and particularly its geological attributes. Certain UAE soil types prove superior to traditional NASA training grounds in Arizona for planetary geology preparation, attracting former NASA leadership and astronauts to explore training opportunities in the region.
Blinc plans to operate across multiple emirates: classrooms in Abu Dhabi, analog astronaut experiences in Sharjah, underwater spacesuit simulations in Dubai, and aviation training in Ras Al Khaimah, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for space accessibility and education.