UAE space programme ‘linked to happiness’

Omran Sharaf said inventions developed for space explorations are often adapted to benefit humans in their daily life, thus improving quality of living.. Delores Johnson / The National

DUBAI // Developing the UAE’s space programme is essential to spreading happiness across the country and region, key figures behind it have said.

“When we talk about happiness we talk about the quality of life,” said Omran Sharaf, project manager of the Emirates Mars Mission, which aims to send a probe to the Red Planet in 2020.

There is a strong link between space projects and the advancement of fields such as education, health and the economy, Mr Sharaf said, speaking at the International Conference for Future Governments at the Dubai convention centre on Tuesday.

“The results of space programmes in other countries showed that there’s a payback of US$7 for every one dollar invested in space, through technical discoveries,” he said.

Examples of inventions created for space include batteries, solar panels, memory foam, insulation, workout machines, freeze drying and water filters.

“Such discoveries were developed for space exploration but were then adapted for the benefit of humans in their daily life. Further discoveries will help us not only survive, but survive with a high quality of living,” said Mr Sharaf.

Amer Al Sayegh, project manager of KhalifaSat, the first satellite built entirely by Emirati engineers, said satellites were a perfect example of how space technologies made modern-day life easier – and, therefore, happier.

“If you make a simple mobile phone call or are using GPS to navigate, satellites make this all possible,” said Mr Al Sayegh.

With the KhalifaSat, UAE’s third imaging satellite, getting closer to its 2018 launch with 70 per cent of the project completed, entities and their patrons throughout the country are set to benefit.

Mr Al Sayegh said high-resolution images from the most advanced Arab satellite – capable of capturing the whole of Dubai in one pass – will help the government and private sector better serve their customers and beneficiaries and in turn make them happier.

Developing the sector could also be a catalyst in furthering cooperation among countries in the region and beyond, said Mr Sharaf.

“Space exploration is more about Earth than it is outer space. The field is so technical and precise it requires collaboration from more than one company, department and country, and this fosters collaboration between nations,” he said.

Providing opportunity and inspiration for the country’s and region’s youth is another way the space programme will create happiness, said Salem Al Marri, assistant director-general of scientific and technology affairs at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

“Obviously getting to Mars and studying the atmosphere and the valuable information obtained is an important aspect of the mission, but the underlying reason is to develop scientists and engineers and inspire the youth of the UAE of the region,” said Mr Al Marri.

He said the space missions would help create new jobs and a new educational curriculum, and ignite the imagination of young people.

“The Arab world used to be very innovative and made enormous advancement in the field of sciences. Getting that back would go a long way in helping more people aspire to something more and giving them hope and happiness,” he said.