The UAE is setting its sights sky high, after announcing plans to send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021.
To coincide with the Emirates’ 50th anniversary of formation, the mission to the red planet will be the first in the Arab world and will be supervised by a newly created UAE Space Agency. The agency will be responsible for developing the growing space sector in the country in addition to supervising the nine-month probe to Mars, more than 60 million kilometres away.
“The UAE Mars probe represents the Islamic world’s entry into the era of space exploration. We will prove that we are capable of delivering new scientific contributions to humanity,” said UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “The UAE’s purpose is to build Emirati technical and intellectual capabilities in the fields of aerospace and space exploration and to enter the space industry and to make use of space technology in a way that enhances the country’s development plans.”
Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, added, “Despite all the tensions and the conflicts across the Middle East, we have proved today how positive a contribution the Arab people can make to humanity through great achievements, given the right circumstances and ingredients. Our region is a region of civilisation. Our destiny is, once again, to explore, to create, to build and to civilise.
“We chose the epic challenge of reaching Mars because epic challenges inspire us and motivate us. The moment we stop taking on such challenges is the moment we stop moving forward.”
The UAE is one of nine countries with a space programme dedicated to explore Mars. Currently UAE investments in space technologies exceed AED 20 billion.
