Connect with us

United Arab Emirates

UAE needs scientists, technology sector to boost economy: Mars Mission chief

Published

on

The United Arab Emirates, the first Arab state and the fifth country in the world to reach Mars, needs more scientists to drive its economic future towards technology.

Omran Sharaf, project director of the Emirates Hope Mission to Mars, said this after inaugurating Expo 2020 Dubai’s Space Week.

Sharaf also participated in a public-facing event named ‘The Peoples Mission: Citizens in Space Exploration’ to launch Space Week at Expo.

On February 9, 2021, the UAE became the second country to successfully enter Mars’ orbit on its first attempt.

Sharaf stressed on the importance of training local scientists and developing an advanced science and technology sector to boost the country’s economy.

He continued that his country needs to acquire a competitive knowledge-based, post-oil economy that will only be achieved through an advanced science and technology sector.

For the survival of the UAE, the region and the world, Emirati scientists are required to help build solutions, and ultimately deliver systems that will work in space, Sharaf added.

Lauding his country’s Mars mission, he said that a young nation reached the Red Planet in less than 50 years. He stressed on the importance of unity among a nation and said now time has come to work for the rest of the world.

The UAE Space Agency has recently unveiled its new Emirati interplanetary mission to further enhance the country’s space engineering and exploration capabilities.

Under the new mission, a spacecraft would be launched in 2028 that would travel 3.6 billion kilometres during its five-year journey. The mission intends to study the asteroid belt between the Red Planet and Jupiter. It would first orbit Venus in mid-2028, then Earth in mid-2029 to build the velocity required to reach the main asteroid belt in 2030.

The spacecraft would eventually land on an asteroid 560 million kilometres from Earth in 2033, making the UAE fourth country to land on an asteroid.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Announcements

UAE fuel prices announced for February

Published

on

The UAE fuel price committee on Friday announced petrol and diesel prices for the month of February 2025.

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.74, compared to Dh2.61 a litre in January, while Special 95 will cost Dh2.63 a litre, compared to Dh2.50 a litre the previous month.

E-Plus category petrol will be available for Dh2.55 a litre, compared to Dh2.43 a litre in January, while diesel will now cost Dh2.82 a litre, compared to Dh2.68 a litre the previous month.

Fuel prices in the UAE are closely tied to movements in the global oil market, which has experienced significant fluctuations since last year. Geopolitical uncertainties, shifting supply dynamics and concern about slowing economic growth have all contributed to the volatility in oil prices.

The UAE deregulated fuel prices in 2015, aligning them with market fluctuations.

Continue Reading

Announcements

UAE-made MBZ SAT set to launch into space from California tonight

Published

on

The UAE’s most advanced Earth-imaging satellite, MBZ-SAT, will launch on Tuesday, January 14, at 10:49 PM UAE time from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced.

This marks the second satellite entirely developed by Emirati engineers. MBZ-SAT, weighing 700 kg, will launch alongside the student-built CubeSat, HCT-SAT 1, as part of SpaceX’s rideshare program. Originally planned for October 2024, the launch was delayed due to technical issues with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. A livestream of the event will be available from 9:30 PM UAE time at live.mbrsc.ae.

The SpaceX rideshare program, introduced in 2019, has enabled the deployment of over 200 satellites, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional launches.

MBZ-SAT, named after President Sheikh Mohamed, will revolutionize Earth observation with enhanced imaging capabilities, producing ten times more images than current satellites. Meanwhile, HCT-SAT 1 underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering future space experts.

Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of MBRSC, stated, “We have a team of seven members on-site in the US and another at Mission Control in Dubai, working around the clock to ensure a successful launch.”

The UAE currently operates 10 satellites, with eight more under development. MBZ-SAT underwent rigorous testing in the UAE before being transported to South Korea for environmental assessments. Afterward, it was shipped to SpaceX in the US for final testing.

Marri described the simultaneous launch of these two distinct satellites as a moment of national pride. He emphasized the significance of combining advanced space technology with initiatives like the HCT-SAT program, which involved 50 students from across the UAE. This dual effort, he said, highlights the country’s dedication to building a robust space industry while nurturing local talent.

4o

Continue Reading

Announcements

Ring in the New Year on Dubai’s waters: Abra, Taxi & Ferry with Atlantis views

Published

on

As Dubai residents and tourists gear up to celebrate New Year, they can ring in 2025 with celebrations in the waters of the emirate.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has announced special offers and exclusive services during the New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, on marine transport means including the Dubai Ferry, the Abra, and the Water Taxi.

Passengers can enjoy views of the Burj Khalifa, Bluewaters, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Towers. Residents can cruise into 2025 aboard the Dubai Ferry, Water Taxi, and Abra, with the backdrop of the Dubai coastline, adorned with hotels, heritage areas and landmarks such as The World Islands.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2024 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/