One day prior to the launch of “Soyuz MS-15” with the first UAE’s astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri aboard, Salem Al Marri, Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) of the UAE, gave an exclusive interview to the “New Defense Order. Strategy” magazine, told about ambitious plans of his country in the field of study of Mars and described the experience of cooperation with the Roscosmos Corporation.
– What are the main stages of the Emirates Space Program?
– We started this work 15 years ago. Originally, the main focus was made on the engineering development of satellites in cooperation with enterprises of the state and private sectors. The first step was to obtain some knowledge and master required technologies. In the course of this work, the remote sensing mini-satellites DubaiSat-1, and then DubaiSat-2, have been launched, following which we have successfully developed KhalifaSat – our own satellite, which is completely manufactured in the UAE. The works were conducted with the participation of the Russian specialists, which led to successful mastering and implementation of technologies.
– The KhalifaSat satellite has been 100% manufactured in the UAE. Is it based on any specific prototype?
– The KhalifaSat satellite has been completely developed in the UAE. Some technologies used in manufacturing processes have been also developed in the UAE, some of them have been purchased from foreign suppliers, particularly from the Russian suppliers; we haven’t developed everything from scratch.
– Have you been recently working on even more ambitious projects?
– For the last six years, we have been working on the Mars Hope Mission project, the short-term goal of which is to construct the space probe Amal (this word can be translated as “hope” from the Arabic language). It is planned to launch this probe from Japan in 2020. This mission will become the first attempt of the Arab country to reach Mars.
In April, 2017, the UAE launched the astronaut training program. Two persons were selected from four thousand candidates: Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi. This stage was very important for us. Within the scope of this process, from the selection of candidates to their training process, in the course of launching the project and using the Russian part of the International Space Station (ISS), the Roscosmos Corporation has been our key partner.
– How can you describe your cooperation with Roscosmos? Was it different from your collaboration with European and American partners?
– Our cooperation with different partners has its own peculiarities, but it is always a positive process. The Roscosmos Corporation is always ready for cooperation, the specialists have helped us in different situations. To describe our experience in cooperation with Roscosmos, I can use the key word “flexibility”. When we had some problems after the unsuccessful launch of “Soyuz MS-10”, the personnel of Roscosmos showed their flexibility and understanding, and we were able to come to agreement with them about the flight date for Hazza Al Mansouri.
– UAE is the first Arab country, which has reached the International Space Station. How can you estimate your responsibility towards the Arab world?
– The investments in space projects are very important. We, as many other Arab pioneers in 1980s, have taken the long walk in order to reach the space, and nowadays there are some Arab countries manufacturing satellites. The Arabs should cooperate with each other and combine their efforts in specific projects, such as joint construction of satellites.
– Are there any other projects you are working on after KhalifaSat?
– We have been recently working on the project of developing mini-satellites, such as DMSat (Dubai Municipality Satellite), which is to be launched next year. It is designed to monitor any changes in environment conditions or climate, as well as fluctuations of the CO2 level.
– What is the current stage of the “Mars 2117” program?
The Mars Science City project is planned to be launched in two years in Dubai, it will become the large-scale space simulator for full-range study and forecasting of the Mars environment. This project is supposed to become a platform for international cooperation in the field of Mars studies.
– What actions are planned when astronauts return on Earth?
– Certainly, there will be some time for them to rest and recover, and then a series of different actions and events will be organized in the UAE and in other Arab countries with the aim of sharing astronauts’ experience with people.
Interviewed by: Reem Mohamed
© “New Defense Order. Strategy”
No.6 (59) 2019, St. Petersburg
