Mohammed bin Rashid chairs UAE Space Agency inaugural meeting

Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired on Saturday the inaugural meeting of the UAE Space Agency team who set plans for sending the first probe to Mars from the region and the Arab world.
Sheikh Mohammed reviewed plans for this ambitious project in terms of organisational, legislative and administrative aspects. The meeting also shed light on the framework and milestones to be achieved in the coming years for sending an unmanned probe to Mars by the year 2021.
In presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid Al Tayer and Chairman of the board of Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Mohammed Dhaen Al Qamzi, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the pivotal role of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s wise leadership and vision in addition to his unwavering support in fueling the development march of the country.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed directed all government institutions to provide maximum support to the mission’s team. His Highness highlighted the importance of preparing a new generation of aerospace engineers and professionals and the need to create a constructive legislative environment for its operation and development.
Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the steps of the ambitious mission of sending an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 as he directed team members to work with international scientific institutions in the field of space exploration and carefully study previous missions to explore the red planet.
"This is a historic mission and an epic challenge for the Arab and Islamic world led by a team of fine and dedicated Emirati talent. Our success will reflect positively on the trustworthy reputation we have established. This is a message for the new Arab generation to trust in their capabilities and what they can achieve," said Sheikh Mohammed.
The establishment of the UAE Space Agency marks the entry of the UAE into the global space industry market. Only nine countries in the world have programmes to explore the red planet. The nine-month journey the Mars probe will undertake will also mark the country’s 50th anniversary in 2021. The UAE aims to build Emirati technical and intellectual capabilities in the fields of aerospace and space exploration, enter the space industry and make use of space technology in a way that enhances the country’s development plans.