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Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre invites space enthusiasts to science event

Besides educational talks and workshops, the Astronaut Selection Team will reveal the criteria and procedures followed by the UAE Astronaut Programme. The event is open to all students from schools and universities as well as academics.

Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced that registration is still open for school and university students, academics, researchers, professors, and specialists, who are interested in taking part in the second edition of MBRSC Science Event, which will be held from January 21-22 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. The event is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the slogan ‘Imagine… Explore… Innovate’.

Groups and individuals who are interested can register at https://mbrsc.ae/scienceevent

The event agenda includes lectures, activities, workshops and space seminars by experts from MBRSC and other leading global space experts. The topics to be discussed include the ‘7 Month Journey to Mars’, a detailed explanation of how the Hope Probe, which is set to be launched in 2020, will reach Mars in a 60 million km journey. There will also be sessions on ‘Role of Science in Space Exploration’, ‘Human Space Exploration Programmes’, and ‘Remote Sensing’. In addition, panel discussions will be held on ‘Living on Mars: The UAE 100 Year Vision to Build for a Mars Settlement’, ‘Women in Space’, ‘Stories from KhalifaSat’ “and a seminar with the Selection Committee of the first batch of  astronauts within the UAE Astronaut Programme, to talk about the criteria and procedures followed in the selection process, among others.

His Excellency Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of MBRSC, noted that this scientific and educational initiative aims to spread knowledge about science, and mainly space sciences. Al Shaibani confirmed that this event is a good opportunity for students and academic institutions to learn about space programmes and sciences in the UAE as it enhances the choices of students in their future careers and inspires them to study science.

“Organising the MBRSC Science Event under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reflects the support of our wise leadership to scientific and educational events that encourage youth to study scientific disciplines, especially space science. This initiative is part of MBRSC’s efforts to support this vision to prepare a generation empowered with the highest scientific and professional standards to continue the UAE’s process of development and make it the best country in the world by its Golden Jubilee in 2071. We are pleased to share our expertise at MBRSC with the new generation. The event supports MBRSC’s objectives to contribute to the development of the educational system and encourage students to take interest in space science, thus contributing to promoting a knowledge-based economy,” added Al Shaibani.

The detailed programme agenda includes the ‘Annual EMM (Emirates Mars Mission “Hope Probe”) Science Workshop’, a session on KhalifaSat, the first satellite developed 100% in the UAE by a team of highly qualified Emirati engineers, and the ‘Zero Gravity Experience’, and lectures on Mars, space and satellites. The programme also includes the National Space Programme’s initiatives, mainly Mars 2117 Strategy and the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Moreover, visitors can enjoy interactive games, Virtual Reality (VR) devices to experience life on the International Space Station (ISS), and educational platforms addressing various scientific topics.