UAE launches space quest for Mars

When a new UAE space probe blasts off toward the red planet Mars in 2021, it will mark the first entry into space exploration by an Islamic country, said President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE space agency will also be created to supervise the mission and coordinate the country’s growing space technology, it was announced on Wednesday.

Shaikh Khalifa said the mission will help build Emirati technical and intellectual capabilities, and enhance the country’s development plans.

“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,”

Sending a space probe to Mars will make the UAE the first Arab country and one of only nine countries with space programmes to explore Mars.

The 60 million kilometre journey, which will take nine months to complete, will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s formation.