On Wednesday in Dubai, United Arab Emirate officials and scientists detailed the UAE's proposed unmanned mission to Mars, scheduled for launch in the summer of 2020, when Dubai is hosting a world expo. It would be the first interplanetary mission by an Arab nation, putting UAE in an elite club including India, the U.S., Europe, and Soviet Russia. In a rarity for the UAE, all 75 people working on the mission are Emiratis (advised by Americans), and the lead scientist is a woman, deputy project manager Sarah Amiri.
The Hope orbiter is projected to circle Mars for up to four years, collecting data about its atmosphere. "This mission to Mars is really for the hope of the Arab world and will send them a message to say you can be better, you can improve your country," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and UAE prime minister. The Wall Street Journal has a video report of the invitation-only event below. —Peter Weber
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