The man who led the UAE’s mission to Mars has been appointed as a member of the UAE Diplomatic and Consular Corps with the rank of ambassador.
Omran Sharaf, 38, has also been appointed as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation to handle the advanced science and technology portfolio.
President Sheikh Mohamed issued a federal decree appointing Mr Sharaf to the positions on Wednesday.
He will report directly to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
Mr Sharaf's new roles are aimed at helping the Emirates to form strategic new partnerships in science and technology-related fields.
Mr Sharaf earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia in 2005 and a postgraduate degree in science and technology policy from South Korea’s Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in 2013.
He also won the Pride of the Emirates medal, which is part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Government Excellence Award.
Mr Sharaf is best known for his work as project director of the Emirates Mars Mission, having led a team of engineers and scientists since 2014 to make the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission a success.
The Mars mission, which sent the Hope spacecraft to Mars last year, was a turning point for the UAE’s space programme and inspired many Emiratis to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths-related fields.
Earlier this year, Mr Sharaf was elected by the UAE to chair the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Sheikh Mohamed said at the time that he was proud of Mr Sharaf and congratulated him on being elected.
“The UAE continues to make notable contributions to the space sector and we wish Omran every success in his new role,” he said.
Mr Sharaf started working with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in 2006, when it was called the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
Milestones of the UAE's Mars mission — in pictures
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HOPE MISSION MILESTONES - IN PICTURES: On July 16, 2014, the UAE announced its Mars mission would reach the planet in 2021, in time for the country's Golden Jubilee. Photo: Nasa -
On May 8, 2015, during a glittering ceremony at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, the name of the spacecraft and timeline of the mission is unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On November 12, 2017, at the Dubai Airshow, a prototype of the Mars spacecraft goes on display. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre -
On January 5, 2020, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, right, and Sheikh Mohamed sign the final piece of the Hope Probe before it is shipped to Japan for the launch. Photo: Wam -
On January 21, 2020, a launch window between July 14 and August 3, 2020, is announced. The spacecraft would lift off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre, aboard the HII-A rocket. On May 19, it is announced the first launch attempt would be made on July 15, 2020. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
On April 5, 2020, Emirati engineers are sent, months in advance, to the launch site due to Covid-19. Some team members stay behind because only a limited number of people are allowed on site. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On April 25, 2020, the space orbiter arrives on Tanegashima island, 1,000 kilometres south of Tokyo. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
The vehicle travelled in a special container to avoid damage and flew on one of the world's largest cargo planes. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, and mission director Omran Sharaf, third left, discuss with engineers shipping the Hope probe to Japan. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre -
The Hope probe arrives in Tanegashima island for a launch attempt on July 15, 2020. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita -
Heavy rainfall and strong winds delay the mission twice, on July 15 and July 17. Courtesy: Shoma Watanbe -
On July 20, 2020, the Hope probe lifts off and begins its 493-million-kilometre journey to Mars. AFP -
Sarah Al Amiri celebrates a successful take-off with launch provider Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. AFP -
On July 22, 2020, the probe captures an image of Mars two days after it began its journey to the Red Planet. Sheikh Mohammed shared this image on Twitter. Photo: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter -
On February 9, 2021, Sarah Al Amiri hosted an event at Dubai's Burj Park and gave live updates on the mission. Reuters -
On February 9, 2021, mission director Omran Sharaf announces the Hope probe has successfully entered Mars orbit. Photo: Wam -
Joyous scenes at the event in Burj Park. Christopher Pike / Reuters -
Moments after the announcement, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid thank staff at mission control in Dubai. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
On February 14, 2021, the spacecraft sends its first global image of the Red Planet. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On October 1, 2021, the UAE releases the first set of data collected by the mission, including images and science readings of the atmosphere and weather. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
This image taken by the Hope probe’s ultraviolet spectrometer shows sunlight reflected from the extended cloud of atomic hydrogen gas that surrounds Mars. The sunlight is visible only as a dark disk hidden within the gas. Emirates Mars Mission -
On January 1, a second set of data is released for free to the public. This image was enhanced by Andrea Luck and shows another cloudy day on the planet. The North Pole, Olympus Mons and Tharsis Montes are also visible. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrew Luck
