DUBAI // The Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and its satellite manufacturing complex on Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also approved the strategy of the National Space Programme.
Young Emiratis will carry out the programme, which aims to send a probe to reach Mars in 2021, build a settlement on the Red Planet in 2117 and train Emirati astronauts.
“We plan to send the first Emirati astronaut to the space over the next few years, and starting from today, we are preparing the first Emirati and Arab astronaut to join scientists at the International Space Station,” the Dubai Ruler said.
“Our objective is to show the world that we are able to contribute to humanity through quality knowledge and scientific discoveries.”
The UAE is making “outstanding” achievements daily thanks to the leadership of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and the vision of the Vice President, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
“We’re so proud to see Emirati youth play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our ambitious nation and exploring new frontiers of knowledge,” he said.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended the tour, reported Wam, the state news agency.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, and Mohammed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and other senior officials were also present.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
