Dubai science initiative to celebrate UAE's mission to Mars

The public will be given a valuable insight into the story behind the UAE's historic journey to the Red Planet

Sarah Amiri, Deputy Project Manager of UAE Mars mission, talks about the momentous space journey at an event in Dubai. AP

The thirst for knowledge fuelling the UAE's historic mission to Mars will be shared with the public during a week-long science initiative being launched in Dubai next month.

The Hope Probe is set to lift-off from Japan in July 2020, with the aim of reaching the Red Planet in 2021, to coincide with the milestone 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE.

The satellite will blast off into the skies in an effort to gain valuable insights into the atmosphere of Mars, throughout all of its seasons.

Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MRSC) will highlight the key scientific goals of the Emirates Mars Mission Hope Probe to university and school students and the wider community during a series of workshops and interactive events.

The Emirates Mars Mission Science Week, being held in the first week of July at the Emirates Towers Youth Hub, will reveal how the probe will collect data to help answer some of the most searching questions about the Red Planet.

The week includes six workshops which will explain the tools used by scientists to study of Mars remotely and the objectives of the mission, which are to develop a deeper understanding of the Martian atmosphere.

"EMM Science Week comes within the framework of enhancing the centre’s mission to introduce community members and university and school students to its scientific programmes, space projects, and the importance of scientific progress to make achievements that benefit humanity,” said Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, director general of MRSC.

"It will shed light on the importance of the EMM to the Arab region, as it highlights the ability of the Arabs to contribute effectively to the enrichment of civilization and human knowledge."

MRSC is responsible for the execution and supervision of all stages of the design, development and launch of the Hope Probe in 2020.

The UAE Space Agency is funding and overseeing the ambitious project.

Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, said the nation is keen to serve humanity through its journey to space.

"As the Hope Probe gets closer to the finish line, we get closer to achieving the ambitions of the UAE, and making the dream a reality," he said.

"It is now our responsibility to raise awareness about the Emirates Mars Mission and the scientific mission of the probe and how it is set to serve humanity through sharing important scientific data about the Red Planet.

"We also aim to acknowledge the efforts of the team who is working relentlessly to achieve this stage of work and success."