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In the hopes of simulating life on the red planet, Dubai has announced
that it is building a £100 million (AED 500 million/$135 million) 'Mars
Science City.'
The city will cover 1.9 million square feet, making it the largest space
simulation city ever built.
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The project will be home to a team of researchers who will live there
for a year, carrying out experiments to look at the food, water and
energy needs to sustain life on Mars.
The project is part of Dubai's Mars 2117 Strategy, which seeks to build
the first settlement on Mars in the next 100 years.
The Mars Science City project was unveiled at the annual meeting for the
UAE government in Abu Dhabi this week.
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The city will contain advanced laboratories that simulate Mars' terrain
and harsh environment.
There, scientists will carry out experiments to look at the food, water
and energy needs to sustain a human settlement on Mars.
It will also have a museum that will display some of the world's
greatest space achievements.
The walls of the museum will be 3D printed using sand from the Emirati
desert.
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As well as the laboratories and museum, the project will also be home to
a team living in the simulated red planet city for a year.
The designers hope that this experience will form an important reference
model for future innovation around sustaining life in a hostile
environment.
The city will consist of several domes, built using 'innovative
construction techniques.'
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai, said: 'The UAE is a great
country with vision and understanding of the challenges we face and the
rapid changes our world is experiencing.
'We believe in the potential of space exploration, and in collaborating
with global partners and leaders in order to harness the findings of
this research and movement that seeks to meet people's needs and improve
quality of life on Earth.'
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The project is part of Dubai's Mars 2117 Strategy which seeks to build
the first settlement on Mars in the next 100 years.
Sheikh Mohammed added: 'The landing of people on other planets has been
a longtime dream for humans.
'Our aim is that the UAE will spearhead international efforts to make
this dream a reality.'
It is unclear when Dubai plans to start building work on Mars Science
City.
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