LBCI

UAE plans unmanned mission to Mars by 2021

World News

16-07-2014 | 06:44

Share

Share

UAE plans unmanned mission to Mars by 2021

2^min

The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday it planned to send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021, in the Arab world's first mission to another planet.

A UAE Space Agency will be set up to supervise the mission and develop a space technology industry in the country, a government statement said. It did not give details such as the cost of the probe or how it would be designed and built.

"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," said UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

With a population estimated at no more than about 8 million, most of whom are foreign workers, the UAE lacks the scientific and industrial base of the big space faring nations.

But it is keen to diversify its economy beyond oil into high-technology sectors, and its oil reserves give it immense financial power that it could use to buy expertise. One of the sovereign wealth funds of Abu Dhabi, the biggest emirate, is estimated to have assets worth nearly $800 billion.

The UAE's fast-growing airlines, Emirates and Etihad, are among the world's biggest buyers of planes from U.S. and European aerospace firms, and a factory in the Abu Dhabi desert now turns out sophisticated parts for Airbus.

The UAE has invested over $5.4 billion in satellite ventures such as data and television broadcast company Al Yah Satellite Communications, mobile communications firm Thuraya and earth mapping and observation firm Dubai Sat, the government said.

The Mars probe will take nine months to complete the more than 60 million-kilometer (37.5 million-mile) journey to Mars, and will make the UAE one of only nine countries with space programs exploring the Red Planet, the statement said.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Syria Kurds say president's decree on language, nationality falls short

Middle East News

2026-01-17

Syria Kurds say president's decree on language, nationality falls short

Lebanon registers more than half a million displaced by Israeli attacks

2026-03-08

Lebanon registers more than half a million displaced by Israeli attacks

Hormuz evacuation suspended after attack in Gulf of Oman: Maritime group

Middle East News

2026-06-25

Hormuz evacuation suspended after attack in Gulf of Oman: Maritime group

Trump says Iran wants to 'make a deal'

Middle East News

2026-01-30

Trump says Iran wants to 'make a deal'

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

1

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

2

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

3

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

4

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

5

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

Israel sends troops to settler siege as US ambassador slams 'act of terror'

6

Israel sends troops to settler siege as US ambassador slams 'act of terror'

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

7

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

8

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More