The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to make substantial investments in the country’s science and engineering infrastructure. Space exploration has been a major motivator for the elective constitutional monarchy’s significant drive toward workforce development and international cooperation. UAE was only the fifth country to reach Mars when its “Hope” probe entered the Red Planet’s orbit. Traditionally, UAE’s economy has centered around hydrocarbon exports and tourism, but these meaningful investments and diversification toward space exploration are attracting international talent and industry partnerships. More broadly, in terms of research and development (R&D), UAE has increased its spending from 0.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 to 1.3% in 2018 and is on track to reach 1.5% this year. Plans for a “Mars Science City” outside Dubai, at 1.9 million square feet and projected to cost around $200 million USD, are further signals to the global STEM community that UAE is positioning itself as a new leader in space exploration.
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