On Monday, the ruler of Dubai, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced the launch of a project to explore the asteroid belt.
He explained, "The project will last 13 years, including 6 years of development and 7 years of exploration, during which the Emirati vehicle, MBR Explorer 5, will travel a billion kilometers bypassing Mars to explore 7 asteroids, and land on the last asteroid in 2034," according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The prime minister stressed that "the asteroid belt exploration project is" a huge national scientific mission, and a unique global research and knowledge one, which will include the establishment of private Emirati companies in space technology, the establishment of a ground control center for deep space missions, and the training of new Emirati cadres in this sector.
He confirmed that the UAE vehicle, MBR Explorer 5, used in the project, will travel 10 times as much as the Emirati Hope Probe.
Last month, the Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, announced the success of the first spacewalk in Arab history by Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi.
WAM quoted Al Qasimi as congratulating the Emirati leadership and people on the success of Sultan Al Neyadi in embarking on the first spacewalk in Arab history outside the International Space Station.
It is noteworthy that Al Neyadi became the first Arab to swim in outer space after he left, yesterday, Friday, from the International Space Station to carry out maintenance and installation of solar panels.
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