The Arab world will soon have its eyes on Mars, or so the recently formed space agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hopes. It has announced plans to launch a mission, titled the Emirates Mars Mission, in July 2020 to arrive at the red planet the following year, in time for the anniversary of UEA’s nationhood. The mission, which has the alternative name of Hope, is to study the Martian atmosphere.
Noting that the nations of the Islamic world were once leaders in the field of science and mathematics, the UAE plans to develop the mission itself, albeit with the advice of other space agencies and space companies, to regain and retain modern space technological know-how within the country.
