The Value of Being part of Space Exploration

Thursday 28 September 2017, 15:45 – 16:45
Location: Adelaide Convention Center – Hall D

With twenty years of achievements in space behind it, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to invest in human capital, develop its satellite operators companies, research centers, and earth observations capabilities, as well as related infrastructures and facilities in order to further develop its space sector. In 2014, the UAE joined the space exploration community with an ambitious Emirati Mars Mission (EMM) program and its “Hope” probe” a Spacecraft destined to orbit Mars in 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the setting up of the UAE as a nation. In 2017, The UAE announced the UAE Astronaut program and the Mars2117 project to build the first city on Mars by 2117.

The UAE Space Agency (UAE SA) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), are preparing short and long terms plans for the implementation of the Mars2117 project. In the short term the UAE will develop an initial detailed plan covering the activities that should take place over the next five years, dealing with all technological, logistical and technical aspects of the project to pave the way for developing a comprehensive road map with a clear path towards achieve the ultimate goals of Mars2117.

The first steps in this plan has already started by mobilizing the interest within the UAE in planetary explorations, space science and technology through EMM with its unique and noble objectives to gain a better understanding of the Martian atmosphere and the interaction between its various layers, with the aim to achieve an unprecedented global coverage both special and temporal. The project has already succeeded in utilizing and building on the existing space sector capabilities which rely extensively on UAE nationals, exemplified by MBRSC whose are the prime contractor to the UAE SA for EMM.

The UAE recognizes that international collaboration is essential in such colossal programs, not just in assuring higher chances for their success but to use it as an opportunity to consolidate the cooperative spirits between nations across the world for achieving the best possible outcome for humanity as a whole and emphasizing the peaceful uses of outer-space for the benefit of all Humanity.

The panel will give an overview and outline of the strategy and plans to that will ensure the success of such ambitious activities, and how the momentum can be maintained with such unprecedented long-term vision that will cross over generations.

Speakers

Mohammed Nasser AL AHBABI

Former Director General, UAE Space Agency

United Arab Emirates

Salem AL MARRI

Deputy Director General - CEO, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

United Arab Emirates

Omran SHARAF

Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe) Project Director, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

United Arab Emirates

Saeed AL GERGAWI

Mars 2117 Program Executive Manager, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

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