Meow

Has the National been hijacked by Pan Arabian Enquirer?

UAE to establish space agency, plans to send unmanned probe to Mars by 2021 | The National


he UAE is to establish a space agency that aims to send the first Arab spaceship to Mars by 2021 to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s formation.

The unmanned mission to Mars will be led by Emiratis and will involve a nine-month journey of more than 60 million kilometres. It will mark the country as one of only nine in the world with space programmes that have explored the Red Planet.

“The UAE Mars probe represents the Islamic world’s entry into the era of space exploration,” said President Sheikh Khalifa, according to state news agency WAM.

“We will prove that we are capable of delivering new scientific contributions to humanity.

“We aim for the UAE to be among the top countries in the field of aerospace by 2021. We have a great belief in Allah and in the talents of our young people. We have the strongest determination, the greatest ambitions, and a clear plan to reach our targets.

“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.”

More in the article, but really

TheShed

Reading what I have to date would suggest that most of the technology is there but lacking cash to get it off the ground (sic.). No shortage of money in this part of the World.

Millhouse

I thought most of them already lived on a different planet anyway.

shiva

Funniest thing I've read all year. I love it just ****ing love it.

When I get back I think I'll try IPO a toilet roll and launch the brigadoon project

Inselaffen

waiting for the announcement that they will build the biggest shopping mall on Mars

mikewot

But none of them can shop in it because the Fatwa on going to Mars was reaffirmed