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Hazzaa's mission is first step towards Mars expedition: UAE Space Agency

Abu Dhabi - "This is the start. We have a 100-year plan," a top official from the UAE Space Agency said.

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Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori has taken the first step towards realising the 'ultimate vision' set by the government - Mars 2117 Project, a top official from the UAE Space Agency has said.
"This is the start. We have a 100-year plan. We have to take incremental steps to realise that goal of having inhabitable settlement in Mars by 2117," Talal Al Kaissi, adviser, strategic projects, UAE Space Agency, told Khaleej Times referring to the ambitious programme to have the first inhabitable human settlement in Mars.
Al Kaissi said there are concentrated efforts planned in coming years to continue the momentum of the space exploration and developing the human capital.
"The Hope Mars Mission, which is launching next year, we will study the atmosphere there and get to know about unanswered questions. The UAE Astronaut Programme launched last year has begun delving into human space flight. There will be other missions as well to start building the knowledge base."
Al Kaissi said the UAE Space Agency is working on building the space ecosystem from a commercial point of view. "We are trying to encourage companies from many parts of the world to participate in space activities here."
He noted Hazzaa's mission is a crucial aspect of the UAE's space programme.
"He will be conducting various experiments. One of them is finding how palm tree seeds will germinate at the space station. Once back, we are going to plant some of the seeds here to find if microgravity and radiation has impacted it," Al Kaissi added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE