The Role of the Emirates in the Space Industry: Mars and Beyond

Mars

Long associated with oil and luxury, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now surprising the world with their space ambitions. In just a few years, this small Gulf country has emerged as a rising player in the space sector, thanks to a strategy that combines technological innovation, international cooperation, and a desire for economic diversification. From a mission to Mars to plans for a Martian colony, the UAE is displaying a bold, space-oriented vision.

Launched as part of the Vision 2021 and Vision 2071 plans, the UAE's space policy reflects a clear intent to prepare for a sustainable future beyond hydrocarbons. Space has become a strategic lever for modernization, technological independence, and international influence. Established in 2014, the UAE Space Agency oversees this ambition, working in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which is responsible for the operational development of space missions.

The launch of the Hope (Al-Amal) probe on July 19, 2020, brought the UAE’s futuristic plans to life. The result of a collaboration with several American universities, including the University of Colorado, this Mars mission entered orbit on February 9, 2021, becoming the first interplanetary mission by an Arab country. Its objectives are twofold: to study the dynamics of the Martian atmosphere and to provide a comprehensive and global picture of the planet’s climate.

Moreover, the Rashid program aims to land rovers on the Moon. Although the Rashid 1 rover, launched in 2023, did not survive the landing, a second rover, Rashid 2, is already in development, demonstrating the resilience of the program. In 2021, the UAE announced a large-scale interplanetary mission scheduled for 2028. It will include flybys of Venus and seven main belt asteroids, with a goal to land on one of them around 2034.

In the very long term, the Emirates aim to establish a human colony on Mars within a century. This project acts as a catalyst for research, education, and innovation in space sciences, rather than an immediate colonization plan.

The UAE is relying on international cooperation to accelerate its learning curve and integrate into global space governance. They are signatories of the Artemis Accords, alongside NASA, Japan, France, and other partners. These alliances strengthen the credibility and openness of the Emirati space program.

However, the United Arab Emirates are not content with merely observing space: they want to play an active role in it. With projects ranging from Mars observation to a Martian colony by 2117, lunar exploration, and interplanetary missions, their strategy is visionary, methodical, and inclusive. Through their commitment to the space industry, the UAE shows that a small country can aim very high, provided it invests in science, education, and cooperation.

Caroline Haïat