The UAE’s Mars mission shows how space exploration can benefit small nations

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) successfully launched its Mars mission dubbed “Al Amal,” or “Hope,” from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan on July 20. This is the first space mission by the UAE, and the first Arab mission to Mars – making the world’s first launch countdown in Arabic a moment for the history books. The mission’s journey to its launch date has arguably been at least as remarkable as the launch itself. With no previous domestic space exploration experience, planetary science capacity, or suitable infrastructure, the nation managed to put together a delivery team of 100% local,…

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