National Geographic has announced a four-year partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) to document the UAE’s journey into space. The four-part documentary series will focus on the UAE’s meteoric rise into space, its achievements and ambitions.
The series is set to capture the essence of why and how the space industry was established in the UAE, its importance and how it plays a larger role in tackling the environmental challenges facing the Earth, from climate change to declining natural resources and food security. At the same time, the series will examine the feasibility of life beyond our planet, based on data collected from space and advanced research.
The documentary will capture riveting stories such as the development and launch of KhalifaSat, the first 100 percent Emirati-developed satellite, traveling to Mars, and building the first city on Mars.
“We are so proud of this groundbreaking partnership, which celebrates the UAE leadership’s bold vision to inspire generations of Emiratis to reach for the stars,” said Sanjay Raina, senior vice president, Fox Networks Group, and general manager for Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.
“Our fascination with space goes back over 100 years and we have been passionate about bringing stories of new frontiers of exploration to audiences around the world since then.” What is equally important in this massive undertaking by MBRSC is its goal: To create sustainable solutions to our global resource and environmental challenges and provide an international platform for knowledge-sharing and development.”
KhalifaSat is one of the world’s most advanced remote-sensing Earth observation satellites. It was built in the Space Technology Laboratories at the MBRSC andsuccessfully launched into orbit on Oct. 29, 2018 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center aboard the H-HA rocket.
National Geographic’s series will also delve into the build-up toward the UAE’s most daring projects to date, particularly those related to Mars. These episodes will focus on the Emirates Mars Mission — Hope Probe, the first Arab mission to Mars. The mission is set to launch in 2020 and arrive at the Red Planet by 2021, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the UAE. The series will also cover the creation of a 100-year plan to establish a livable city on the planet by 2117 through the Mars 2117 Strategy.
