UAE sends 1st Arab astronaut to Mars

Cairo - 14 June 2019: The United Arab Emirates announced on Friday that they will be sending their first Arab astronaut to Mars in coordination and cooperation with Arab countries led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi affirmed that the mission will be within two months for scientific and research purposes.

Ahbabi added that the UAE will build and launch an Arab satellite at a cost of AED 100 million, noting that the project is expected to serve the Arab countries and provide data and will act as a platform for learning as well as collective work.

Earlier this year, the UAE launched the first Arab Space Coordination Group, he said, pointing out to the importance of Arab cooperation in the space field to serve the coming generations.

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy solid relation. The UAE was among the top Arab states that scrambled to support Egypt’s economy after the June revolution and had offered great financial support.

Egyptian exports to the UAE have increased significantly during the first half of 2017 to hit $1.204 billion, up from $1.126 billion during the same period of 2016, marking a seven percent increase.

The UAE is ranked first on the list of countries that have established investments in the Egyptian market with $6.2 billion in total investment, distributed over 868 projects in the fields of communication, banking, real estate, tourism and information technology.