UAE Mars 2021 probe will benefit humanity, says Dubai ruler

The UAE’s historic bid to send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 will result in new scientific contributions to humanity, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, said Saturday.

The project, announced by the UAE Space Agency in July, is considered the Arab world’s first mission to another planet and is aimed at developing a space technology industry in the country.

Speaking at a session with probe team on Saturday, Sheikh Mohammad stressed on the importance of establishing research centers and “building national capabilities in the fields of aerospace,” according to state news agency WAM.

He said the Mars project will have many long-term benefits, including the opening of new sectors in the nation’s economy.

The probe is expected to take nine months to complete the more-than 60 million kilometer journey to Mars.

The project puts the UAE among nine countries with space programs aimed at exploring the red planet.

The UAE government did not give details of the cost of the probe.