Dubai:
United Arab Emirates (UAE), known across the globe for its unique skyscrapers and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, now has plans to build a city on Mars.
The UAE has unveiled plans to become the first nation to build the first city on the Red Planet. The energy-rich country is looking forward to transport people to Mars by 2117.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – and Shaikh Mohammad Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan – Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have announced the 100-year national project.
Under this project, the Gulf state would join hands with specialised international organisations and scientific institutes.
The UAE will plan to prepare national cadres that can achieve scientific breakthroughs to enable the transport of people to Mars over the next decades.
Under the 100-year plan, scientific research programmes will be held at universities in the UAE. This will nurture national cadres who are specialised in space sciences.
ALSO READ | ISRO eyes mega world record, plans to go to Venus; Mars revisit on card
When the announcement was made on the sidelines of the World Government Summit, representatives of 138 governments, six major international organisations, as well as leading international tech companies were present, the Gulf News reported.
The new project will involve research themes that will feature the exploration of transportation means, energy and food on Mars. It will also try to look out for faster means of transportation for travelling to and from the Red Planet.
During the presentation, a virtual presentation depicting a preliminary concept for the city on Mars was showcased.
An Emirati scientific team will first implement the scientific initiative, which will expand eventually to include international scientists and researchers that will run in parallel with the coordination of human research efforts in the field of exploring and inhabiting Mars.
“The landing of people on other planets has been a longtime dream for humans. Our aim is that the UAE will spearhead international efforts to make this dream a reality,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid was quoted as saying.
The short-term goal is to develop the capacities and skills of Emiratis, said Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed.
“The 2117 Mars initiative is a long-term project, which will first help develop our education, universities and research centres that will empower young Emiratis to enter all disciplines of scientific research fields,” he said.
The UAE announced its Mars Probe mission in 2015. It will send its first spacecraft to Mars in a scientific exploration mission that will land on planet in 2021.
