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An artist’s impression of the UAE space probe

Key Bahrain role in Mars probe from Arab world

MANAMA, July 27, 2015

Bahrain could play a key role in sending a space probe to Mars from the Arabian Peninsula.

The ambitious mission is being spearheaded by the UAE Space Agency, which plans to create an advanced industry combined with space science educational programmes in a bid to send an unmanned probe to the red planet by 2021, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Officials from the agency, including chairman Dr Khalifa Al Rumaithi and director general Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, met representatives of the Bahrain-based National Space Science Agency (NSSA) to discuss areas of co-operation.

“The close relationship between the UAE and Bahrain, as well as the close economic partnership, creates many opportunities for both countries, especially in the space industry,” the UAE Space Agency said in a statement yesterday (July 26).

“The UAE Space Agency is looking for opportunities of co-operation with NSSA to strengthen partnership and work between the two organisations within the space sector.

“This strategy falls in line with the agency’s efforts to build strategic partnerships and achieve goals of regional and international co-operation.”

The Bahraini delegation, led by NSSA chairman Dr Mohammed Al Amer, was brought up to date on UAE’s technological abilities to develop space age technology such as satellites and probes.

They also toured the Abu Dhabi based agency and the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), which is designing the region’s first multi-purpose satellite system consisting of two satellites.

“The two sides discussed opportunities for co-operation between the various institutions operating in the space sector and how to make the most of their expertise in the fields of technology and space science,” added the statement.

“Both organisations are focusing on developing the space industry including implementing programmes and scientific missions aimed at training specialised space science national cadres.”

The Emirates Mars Mission probe will be housed in the nose of a rocket, similar to those used to launch satellites.

The rocket will be launched in July, 2020 and the unmanned probe will travel more than 60 million kilometres in nine months to its destination, orbiting the red planet.

It will be equipped with sensors able to map weather and detect changes in the upper atmosphere of the planet with the goal of understanding why and how oxygen and hydrogen is seeping into space.

The mission is being planned so that its arrival coincides with the UAE’s 50th anniversary. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | arab | Satellite | Mars | Probe |

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