UAE's MBRSC launches "Red Planet", first Arab space science magazine for kids

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched the first Arab scientific magazine, the "Red Planet", dedicated to space science for children throughout the Arab world.

The magazine is issued in line with the Centre’s strategy to support and encourage the next generation to adopt innovation and show more interest in scientific knowledge and space science.

The "Red Planet" magazine is characterised by its simple and easy writing style that simulates the minds of a young audience and presents space science in a fun, interactive and simple way. The magazine focuses on amazing facts, entertaining information and science fiction stories, thus encouraging kids to read and eventually stimulating creativity and innovation.

The magazine utilised the latest creative designs and production arts in line with the requirements of journalism for kids through the use of innovative images and designs, as well as creative illustrations depicting facts about space and the latest scientific discoveries.

The magazine is now to be issued on a regular basis every two months for the young generation passionate about science and space exploration. The magazine is also to be distributed to a group of officials and those interested in kids’ education, as well as to libraries, universities and astronomy and space sciences centres and kids clubs.

The first issue of the "Red Planet" magazine features fictional stories and characters to stimulate the imagination, including a story about Jassem and Hessa, an Emirati brother and sister enthused by space, and an adventure featuring an Emirati astronaut who gets lost in a meteor storm. Also featured is the story of the details unknown to many relating to the risks and challenges faced by the first men on the moon aboard Apollo 11, the most famous spacecraft ever launched to space. Moreover, the issue reveals amazing facts about the universe, planets, galaxies, the life of astronauts in space, the secrets of Mars, the scientific details of the Hope Probe journey to explore the Martian atmosphere and the story of the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, in addition to fun quizzes and games.

Mona Al Qemzi, Assistant Director General for Administrative & Financial Affairs at MBRSC and the Managing Editor of the Centre’s magazines "Majarat" and the "Red Planet" said: "MBRSC has a long term planned strategy that aims to build a future generation in science in general and space specifically, to have future scientists and specialists who will continue our journey in space and advanced technology".

"In addition to MBRSC’s role in developing satellite manufacturing sector in the UAE, the Centre has always been looking for ways and means to educate the kids and youth about space and advanced technology to encourage them to create and innovate in different sectors including space, technology and renewable energy, in line with the National Innovation Strategy launched by Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai", said Al Qemzi.

Al Qemzi said, "Based on the successful experience in launching Majarat magazine, which offers scientific knowledge and information about space and advanced techniques for college students and specialists, we decided to target the age groups between 7 to14 years in order to instil in them a love of reading and a passion for space and science."

He added, "We ensured that the writing style adopted in the magazine addresses their minds, develops their innovation and creativity skills and cultivates a love of reading in them, especially for scientific books and materials. Furthermore, we chose to adopt the narrative style in addressing scientific topics, as kids usually like it and simply conveying information, in addition to using of Arab names to stories characters, reflecting the Arabic society they belong to and inspire them".

Source:WAM