UAE may seek ISRO expertise to launch its unmanned Mars probe by 2021

UAE is now working on an Emirates Mars Mission, which would launch an unmanned probe to attain Mars orbit by 2021.

Staff correspondent, August 31, 2015

The United Arab Emirates may seek ISRO's expertise in launching its Mars mission.

ISRO's unmanned Mars mission Mangalayan has been hailed as a cost-effective technological feat by the space community around the world.

The Economic Times reports that when the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visits Delhi this week, he may initiate talks on the proposal.

Al-Nahyan is expected to lead a 83-member delegation, including top officials of the UAE's space agency.
UAE runs a nine-year-old space programme, which was recently  brought under the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). It has launched four satellites - DubaiSat-1, DubaiSat-2, Khalifasat and Nayif-1 - in collaboration with foreign countries.

UAE is now working on an Emirates Mars Mission, which would launch an unmanned probe to attain Mars orbit by 2021. The probe, named Hope (Amal in Arabic), will conduct tests to profile Martian atmosphere.

The Economic Times said UAE is keen on working with India as it would be more cost-effective than joining hands with Europe or the USA.