UAE launches plans to build city on Mars by 2117

From the harsh deserts of the Mideast to the chaotic terrain of Mars: Persian Gulf nation unveils plans of astronomic proportions to build first human settlement on the Red Planet.

FEBRUARY 15, 2017 13:17

Updated: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 13:33

Presentation of the UAE project 'Mars 2117' (photo credit: TWITTER/DUBAI MEDIA OFFICE) — Presentation of the UAE project 'Mars 2117'

(photo credit: TWITTER/DUBAI MEDIA OFFICE)

The United Arab Emirates is seeking to achieve a venture of cosmic proportions with its newly-announced plans to establish the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by the year 2117.

The Gulf Arab state on Tuesday unveiled the project dubbed "Mars 2117," which lays out the prospect of spearheading a populated "mini-city" on the Red Planet in the next 100 years.

"The "Mars 2117" project will develop an Emirati and international team of scientists to push the human exploration of Mars in years to come," wrote UAE Vice President and Prime Minster Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Twitter.

The "Mars 2117" project will develop an Emirati and international team of scientists to push the human exploration of Mars in years to come. pic.twitter.com/5ujxvyC8As
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2017

The Emirati leader added that the UAE aspiration involves a push for astronomy and related science studies in universities in the federation of seven emirates in the years leading up to 2117.

"Mars 2117" is a seed we are sowing today to reap the fruit of new generations led by a passion for science and advancing human knowledge," he stated in a series of English tweets accompanied by digital graphics of the space-race concept.

"Mars 2117" is a seed we are sowing today to reap the fruit of new generations led by a passion for science and advancing human knowledge. pic.twitter.com/IExtnpiO2B
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2017

The government of Dubai's media office also stated that along with working to establish viable living conditions built by robots, the enterprise will focus on developing faster means of transportation to and from the fourth planet from the Sun.

The project was due to be launched by Emirati teams of experts in partnership with a consortium of major international scientific research institutions.

We aspire in the coming century to develop science, technology and our youth's passion for knowledge. This project is driven by that vision. pic.twitter.com/4QibJjtiM2
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2017

In 2014, the oil-rich Emirates established the UAE Space Agency with the intention of sending an unmanned mission to Mars by 2021.