• Nasa will make a public debut of its enormous Moon rocket on March 18, before it is launched on an un-crewed flight this May. All photos: Nasa
    Nasa will make a public debut of its enormous Moon rocket on March 18, before it is launched on an un-crewed flight this May. All photos: Nasa
  • The fully stacked Space Launch System. The world’s most powerful rocket, it was built by Nasa to return humans to the Moon.
    The fully stacked Space Launch System. The world’s most powerful rocket, it was built by Nasa to return humans to the Moon.
  • Standing 101 metres tall and weighing 2,608 tonnes, the Space Launch System will generate 3,991 tonnes of thrust at lift-off.
    Standing 101 metres tall and weighing 2,608 tonnes, the Space Launch System will generate 3,991 tonnes of thrust at lift-off.
  • The Orion spacecraft will be placed on top of the rocket and will carry astronauts to the Moon.
    The Orion spacecraft will be placed on top of the rocket and will carry astronauts to the Moon.

UAE's participation in lunar economy will 'help create jobs and bring skilled workers'


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE’s participation in the new lunar economy will help to create jobs and bring skilled workers to the country, an Emirati space official has said.

An economy focused on the Moon has grown over the past few years, as governments and private companies look to use and exchange lunar resources.

It is estimated that the value of the lunar market could pass $170 billion by 2040, with groups taking people and resources between the Moon and Earth, and using lunar data on our planet.

There are also hopes that people can one day travel from the Moon to Mars.

The UAE is one of many countries that plans to carry out a mission to the Moon to collect scientific data.

The country's first lunar rover, Rashid, is scheduled to launch this year on board a Japanese lander built by a private company. There are also plans for a second rover, known as Rashid 2.

Adnan Al Rais, director of the remote sensing department at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, told The National at the World Government Summit in Dubai that there was an “international plan to invest a lot on the Moon”.

“The Moon will become a gateway that will take us to Mars, so that's international movement. There are over 16 space agencies sit that are executing that plan,” he said.

“Investing in the Emirates Lunar Mission will open the door to the establishment of that space ecosystem.

“We have local companies that are getting involved and more who want to be part of missions going forward.

"So, that’s creating jobs, helping develop technologies locally and will help bring skills to the country. This becomes an important element in any economy.”

The space centre has focused on developing the talents of Emirati engineers and scientists over the past decade.

Now the country is trying to establish a private space sector comprising companies that will build space systems and new technology, eventually securing government contracts to carry payloads to space.

US space agency Nasa is leading this sector, with government satellites, cargo and astronauts that now travel to space on rockets built by privately owned companies.

The UAE Space Agency, which oversees the laws and regulations of space activities, is setting up several space economic zones around the country for start-ups and other organisations to set up in the UAE.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

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Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club

  • 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
  • 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
  • 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
  • 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16

Squads:

  • UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
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Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away

It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.

The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.

But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.

At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.

The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.

After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.

Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.

And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.

At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.

And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: March 31, 2022, 3:56 AM