Dubai – Mubasher: Two of the UAE’s top officials have jointly launched the AED 500 million Mars Science City project on 1.9 million square feet.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister, and ruler of Dubai jointly launched the science city with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Mars Science City project, revealed at annual meetings for the UAE government, will provide a viable and realistic model of the life on the surface of Mars, according to an official statement.
A UAE team of scientists, engineers, and designers will carry out the project “in cooperation with internationally renowned architects Bjarke Ingels”.
The project comprises laboratories and agricultural testing and studies about food security in the future, in addition to a museum to display humanity’s major space achievements.
"The UAE seeks to establish international efforts to develop technologies that benefit humankind, and that establish the foundation of a better future for more generations to come,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
"We believe in the potential of space exploration…[and collaborate with global partners] to harness the findings of this research and movement that seeks to meet people’s needs and improve quality of life on earth,” he added.
This project seeks to attract the best scientists from all over the world for human development and life improvement, while also seeking to address global challenges such as food and water security, the statement showed.
The project’s plan include making various experiments relevant to energy, water and food and the city will consist of “several domes, with innovative construction techniques providing support for the structures,” the statement continued.
