UAE Planning ArabĄ¯s First Space Voyage

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is launching an unmanned mission to Mars by 2021, becoming the Arab world's first mission to another planet, MarsNews, a web-based news portal about the Red Planet announced on Friday.

For the Mars flight a new UAE Space Agency will be created to coordinate the country's growing space technology sector and to supervise the mission.

According to MarsNews, the UAE is one of only nine countries with space programmes to explore the Red Planet. The Mars probe's nine-month and more than 60 million kilometre journey will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the UAE's formation.

"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," UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyanhas stated said adding that: "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, said:"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," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added.

MarsNews has stated that the Red Planet project would be a turning point in the UAE's development, establishing the space technology sector as a key component of the national economy for years to come.

UAE investments in space technologies already exceed AED20 billion, including satellite data and TV broadcast company, Al Yah Satellite Communications, mobile satellite communication company, Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications and Earth mapping and observation system, Dubai Sat.