The UAE: Extraterrestrial
Expeditions & Planetary Astute
''The Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028''
By: Ashley Garay, Vince Batacan, and Alyssa Cunanan
Grade & Section: 12 Atlantis
A research paper to be submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the performance task in the subject: Moral, Social, and Cultural Studies
Submitted to: Ms. Jhen Belaras
2nd Semester (March-June 2023)
Name/s: Ashley Garay, Vince Batacan, Alyssa Cunanan
Subject: Moral, Social, and Cultural Studies
Section: 12 Atlantis
Date: April 14, 2023
The UAE: Extraterrestrial
Expeditions & Planetary Astute
''The Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028''
I. Abstract
The Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 is the UAE’s new succession to its
remarkable reign of imploring rapid and progressive societal, economic, and political
development within the start of these past 2 decades ranging to their future expeditions - It is the
birth of UAE’s take on the exterior of our Earthly atmosphere into the unknown, uncharted, and
widespread veil of zero gravity, space, and time. It is for the sake of education, liberation, and the
possible extinction of our planet after a lengthy millennium of natural obliteration, societal
monopolization, and resource scarcity. Additionally, it is a program to bring local and foreign
universities and research centers together to work on the mission, including LASP and Emirates
University, as well as a vocational training program to teach young Emiratis about component
assembly and space subsystems engineering.
Seven main belt asteroids will be the subject of the mission. It will be constructed using
the extensive intellectual property (IP) and heritage that were amassed through the creation of the
Emirates Mars Mission and its Hope Probe, which is presently orbiting Mars and providing
invaluable information on the dynamics of Mars' atmosphere. (UAE Official Government, 2023).
The UAE Space Agency is launching certain activities in support of its new objective to
hasten the growth of the country's space industry. As follows:
1. A fully financed initiative to give Emirati space sector enterprises first dibs on
contracts and mission-related purchases made by Emirati businesses.
2. A vocational training program to train young Emiratis on component assembly and
space subsystem engineering. This is deemed to be the future of humanity, space is the
future.
II. Research Questions
1. How will the Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 delegate the possibility of life on other
planets inside our solar system?
2. Does the Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 yearn for finding habitable planets beyond
the planet Mars?
3. Will the seven main-focus asteroid belts ensure us a hint of our unique origin and deter
the science behind the metaphysical existence of humanity?
III. Introduction
The UAE Space Agency confirmed the launch of a new Emirati interplanetary mission in
October 2021. The mission will first explore the Venusian orbit before moving on to the asteroid
belt beyond Mars. In 2028, the mission is expected to launch. The mission's objective is to
investigate the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is the source of the majority of
meteorites that strike Earth. (UAE Official Government, 2023). It is intended to advance further
the young country's capacity for space engineering, scientific research, and exploration as well as
to stimulate opportunity and innovation in the private sector. The next project will heavily
include Emirati private sector businesses, building on the expertise and experience obtained
through the Emirates Mars project (EMM).
There are two possible speculations to the spacecraft which will be utilized by the
UAE in order to enable the Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 - or forge an inspiration
from:
1. A spaceship called "Hope". Which is not American, Russian, nor from the European
Union. Hope is the first spacecraft from the United Arab Emirates Space Agency
(UAESA) to travel further than an orbit around the Earth. (Downing, 2022). Hope is the
first spaceship launched by the UAE to Mars which successfully landed in 2020, on their
first try - stunning the world as we know it.
2. “Zayed Ambition 2” spacecraft, which the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
(MBRSC) has successfully launched for the “Zayed Ambition 2” mission, led by
astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi to the International Space Station (ISS).
The spacecraft will travel 3.6 billion kilometers over a five-year period, using
gravity-assist maneuvers by orbiting Venus and then Earth to build the necessary velocity to
reach the main asteroid belt, which is located beyond Mars. As it travels around Venus, it will
come within 109 million kilometers of the sun, requiring significant thermal protection, and 448
million kilometers from the sun, requiring extreme insulation and spacecraft operation with very
little solar energy. Seven main belt asteroids will be the subject of the mission. The vast amount
of legacy and intellectual property (IP) amassed throughout the preparation of the Emirates Mars
Mission and its Hope Probe, presently orbiting Mars and accumulating distinctive data, will be
used in its construction.
In the middle of 2028, the mission will orbit Venus for its first near planetary encounter,
and in the middle of 2029, it will orbit Earth. Before making its eventual landing on an asteroid
560 million kilometers from Earth in 2033, it will study seven main belt asteroids during its
initial fly-by of a main asteroid belt object in 2030. The UAE will become the fourth country to
successfully land a spacecraft on an asteroid as a result.
IV. Review of Relevant Literature
According to NASA's '' Cosmic Detective Work: Why We Care About Space Rocks''
article that was written in 2018, ''The entire history of human existence is a tiny blip in our solar
system's 4.5-billion-year history. No one was around to see planets forming and undergoing
dramatic changes before settling in their present configuration. In order to understand what came
before us -- before life on Earth and before Earth itself -- scientists need to hunt for clues to that
mysterious distant past.''
We have gathered that the study of asteroid belts and the planets they harbor enable/s:
1. Understanding the formation of our solar system: Studying asteroid belts can provide
insights into the early stages of our solar system's formation. Asteroids are remnants from
the early days of the solar system, and their composition, size, and distribution can shed
light on the conditions and processes that were at play during the formation of the Sun
and planets.
2. Planetary defense: Some asteroids in asteroid belts have orbits that intersect with Earth's
orbit, posing a potential threat of impact. By studying asteroid belts, we can identify and
track near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) that could potentially impact Earth, and develop
strategies for planetary defense, such as deflecting or destroying asteroids that pose a risk
to our planet.
3. Resource utilization: Asteroids are rich in valuable resources such as water, metals, and
organic materials. Studying asteroid belts can provide insights into the composition and
abundance of these resources, and inform potential strategies for mining and utilizing
asteroids for space exploration and colonization. This could open up new possibilities for
sustainable resource extraction and utilization beyond Earth, which could have significant
implications for future space exploration and human colonization efforts.
4. Evolution of celestial bodies: Asteroids are thought to be some of the oldest and most
primitive bodies in our solar system, largely unchanged since their formation billions of
years ago. By studying asteroid belts, scientists can gain insights into the evolutionary
processes that have shaped celestial bodies over billions of years, including how they
have been influenced by factors such as collisions, impacts, and radiation. This
knowledge can provide important clues about the history and evolution of our solar
system.
5. Scientific research: Asteroid belts provide a unique laboratory for studying the physical
and chemical properties of small bodies in space. By studying asteroids, scientists can
learn about the geology, composition, and structure of these bodies, which can in turn
deepen our understanding of planetary science, geology, and astrophysics. Studying
asteroid belts can also contribute to our understanding of the conditions necessary for the
origin and evolution of life, as some asteroids may have played a role in delivering water
and organic materials to early Earth.
V. Scope and Limitations
The scope infers but is not limited to - our neighboring planets, Venus and Mars, which
are heavily eyed by worldwide space stations due to their lightyears, as it measures a near
distance to our current location, Earth. Alongside, the seven main asteroid belts: orbiting Venus,
Mars, and Jupiter.
The Limitation refers to the generality of our solar system as the whole scope, such as
Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, are all neighboring to Earth, and birthrights to our heliocentric solar
system inside our galaxy, the Milky Way.
VI. Methodology
This study is massively linked to the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) and their ''Hope''
probe. Its sole tale is an agreement to construct an unmanned Mars mission that has been inked
between the UAE Space Agency and MBRSC. The UAE would launch an unmanned spacecraft
to Mars first among Arab and Islamic nations. The spacecraft would be launched by the UAE by
2021, the year of the nation's 50th anniversary. The mission would be carried out by the UAE
Space Agency with assistance from outside partners. (UAE Official Government, 2023).
On July 20, 2020, the UAE's Hope probe was launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space
Center (TNSC) in Kagoshima Prefecture, the country's southwest. The Emirates Mars Mission's
objective is to paint a thorough picture of the Martian atmosphere and explain why there isn't a
place for life there.
The probe confirms it is safe for Emirati life and take on the journey without the expense
of sacrifice as it is unmanned, meaning that there is no astronaut, conductor, nor living being
inside and it is fully operated and managed by the government and the UAE Space Association
(UAESA). Nonetheless, the fruition of the Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 is assured as no
life is hindered due to pressure, gravitational pulls, and any foreseen and unforeseen outer space
events - which the probe is built remarkably for.
VII. Results
Though its results are highly anticipated by the UAE and the rest of the world, we are yet
to wait and see its discoveries as it launches in 2028, and ts building is ongoing a careful and
detailed risk assessment, planning, and ability test in the present moment.
VIII. Discussion
The asteroid belts contain the greatest concentration of asteroids in our solar system,
though less than 1/2 of all asteroids are theorized to be in this region. So far, astronomers have
identified over 1 million asteroids in the solar system. The asteroid belt is important because it is
the source of most of the asteroids that pass near the Earth, and therefore pose a potential danger
to life on the planet, particularly to human structures. Besides protecting our planet Earth,
observing and studying asteroids provides us with clues on our own origins since they hold
secrets about the solar system history and its formation processes. In addition, many asteroids are
far simpler to reach than even our own Moon. Comparable to NASA, the UAESA's missions to
study these "non-planets" help us understand how planets including Earth formed, locate hazards
from incoming objects and think about the future of exploration.
Though the asteroid belts remind us of who we are in science, space, and physics - it
leaves us with a daring question. Shreds of evidence of habitable planets are Kepler-189f,
Kepler-62e, Kepler-283c, Kepler-62f, Gliese 163 c, Gliese 667 Cc, and LHS 1140 b - all of
which are in different solar systems across the vast universe. However, the triumph of UAE's
planning for the Emirati Interplanetary Mission 2028 leads all of humanity to question whether
there are crevices if not planets, in our solar system, that can substitute the quality of life and
oxygen we have inside our unparalleled yet dying Earth. The Emirati Interplanetary Mission
co-aligns itself with the Emirates Mars Mission which sought out the habitability of life on Mars
besides its hot climate and rocky atmosphere.
A. Venus
Moving onto the focused planets, Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is an intriguing
world with unique characteristics that make it valuable to study and understand. Venus may have
been named after the deity of beauty and love of the Roman (and Greek) pantheons because it
shone the brightest among the five planets known to ancient astronomers. (Choi, Gohd, &
Dobrijevic, 2023).
Venus has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric
acid. It has a runaway greenhouse effect, resulting in a surface temperature that is the hottest in
our solar system, with average temperatures of around 462 degrees Celsius (864 degrees
Fahrenheit). (NASA, 2023). Studying Venus' atmosphere can provide insights into the dynamics
of extreme climates, the greenhouse effect, and atmospheric composition, which can help us
better understand Earth's climate system and the potential consequences of climate change. It is
also referred to as Earth's sister planet due to its similar size and composition, but it has evolved
differently over time. Venus has a young surface with extensive volcanic activity and a lack of
plate tectonics. Studying the geology, geophysics, and surface processes of Venus can provide
insights into the geological history, tectonics, and evolution of terrestrial planets, including Earth.
Environmentally, it is hostile - with high temperatures, crushing atmospheric pressure,
and acidic clouds. Studying Venus can help us understand the limits of planetary habitability and
the adaptations that life would need to survive in extreme environments. (Choi, Gohd, &
Dobrijevic, 2023). Venus also presents challenges and opportunities for future human
exploration, and studying its environment can help us develop technologies and strategies for
exploring and living on other planets. Venus, like other planets, provides clues about the early
history of the solar system. Studying Venus can help us understand the processes of planetary
formation, differentiation, and evolution, and provide insights into the conditions that prevailed
during the early stages of our solar system.
For reference, Venus is a nearby example of a terrestrial exoplanet-like world, and
studying Venus can help us better understand the characteristics, atmospheres, and environments
of exoplanets. Venus can serve as a laboratory for developing and testing techniques for studying
and characterizing distant exoplanets, which are often challenging to observe directly.
B. Mars
Mars, also known as the Red Planet, is a planet of great scientific interest due to its
unique characteristics and potential for harboring evidence of past or present life. Dubbed as the
God of War and spirit of battle, Mars (in the Roman pantheon), however, called Ares in the
Greek pantheon.
Mars is considered one of the most habitable planets in our solar system beyond Earth.
Studying Mars can provide insights into the conditions necessary for life to exist, including the
search for signs of past or present microbial life. Mars has a history of liquid water in the past,
and studying its geology, climate, and atmosphere can help us understand the potential
habitability of other planets and moons, as well as the limits of life in extreme environments.
Mars has a diverse and well-preserved geological record that can provide insights into the
planet's past. Studying Mars can help us understand the planet's geology, including its rock
formations, volcanism, tectonics, and erosion processes. This can shed light on the planet's
history, climate evolution, and geologic processes, which can be compared to those on Earth and
other planets to better understand planetary evolution and geology. (McKay, 2013).
In the manner of climate and atmosphere, Mars has a thin atmosphere composed mostly
of carbon dioxide, with a cold and dry climate. Studying Mars' climate and atmosphere can
provide insights into atmospheric dynamics, weather patterns, and climate change on terrestrial
planets. Mars' atmosphere also provides opportunities for studying atmospheric chemistry, dust
storms, and the potential for future human habitation and terraforming. Mars has abundant
evidence of past water activity, including ancient river channels, deltas, and polar ice caps.
Studying Mars can help us understand the history, distribution, and characteristics of water
resources on the planet, which could have implications for future human exploration,
colonization, and resource utilization efforts. (NASA, 2023).
Lastly, Mars is often compared to Earth due to its similarities in size, composition, and
past geological history. Studying Mars can help us better understand the similarities and
differences between the two planets, including their geology, climate, and habitability. Mars can
serve as a testbed for understanding planetary processes and potential for life beyond Earth, as
well as developing technologies and strategies for future planetary missions.
C. Jupiter
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is a fascinating world that offers valuable
information in several key areas of scientific research. The Romans regarded Jupiter as the
equivalent of the Greek Zeus, and in Latin literature and Roman art, the myths and iconography
of Zeus are adapted under the name Iuppiter.
Jupiter is believed to have formed early in the history of our solar system and its immense
size and mass make it a key player in understanding the process of planetary formation. Studying
Jupiter's composition, structure, and dynamics can provide insights into the conditions and
processes that led to the formation of gas giant planets, as well as the role of giant planets in
shaping the architecture of planetary systems.
Atmospherically, Jupiter has a dynamic and complex atmosphere with the iconic Great
Red Spot, a persistent high-pressure storm that has been observed for centuries. Studying
Jupiter's atmosphere can provide insights into the physics of atmospheric dynamics, weather
patterns, and cloud formations in a gas giant planet. Jupiter's atmosphere also provides a unique
laboratory for studying extreme weather phenomena and atmospheric chemistry, including
lightning, auroras, and the interactions between different atmospheric layers. (Choi, Gohd, &
Dobrijevic, 2023). In addition, Jupiter has a powerful magnetic field that is the strongest in our
solar system. Its magnetosphere, which is the region of space dominated by its magnetic field, is
vast and complex. Studying Jupiter's magnetosphere can provide insights into the dynamics of
magnetic fields, plasma physics, and the interactions between magnetic fields and charged
particles. (Jupiter's auroras, which are caused by charged particles interacting with its magnetic
field, are also among the most intense in the solar system, and studying them can provide
insights into the processes that generate auroras in planetary magnetospheres. (ScienceDirect,
2023).
In the matter of moons, planetary dynamics, and gravitational interactions: Jupiter's
massive size and gravity influence the dynamics of the entire solar system. Its gravitational
interactions with other planets and celestial bodies can affect their orbits and dynamics. Studying
Jupiter's gravitational interactions can provide insights into celestial mechanics, planetary
dynamics, and the evolution of planetary systems.
IX. Conclusion
In summary, asteroid belts are important to learn about because they can provide insights
into the formation of our solar system, inform planetary defense strategies, open up possibilities
for resource utilization in space, shed light on the evolution of celestial bodies, and contribute to
scientific research in various fields.
Advantageously, studying Venus can provide valuable information about climate and
atmosphere dynamics, planetary evolution, extreme environments, the early history of the solar
system, and exoplanet research. The knowledge gained from studying Venus can have broad
implications for our understanding of planetary science, astrobiology, climate change, and future
human exploration of other worlds.
Moreover, observing Mars can provide explicit information about habitability, planetary
geology, climate and atmosphere, water resources, and planetary comparison. The knowledge
gained from studying Mars can have wide-ranging implications for astrobiology, planetary
science, climate research, and human exploration of other planets.
And last in the bargain, Jupiter can provide breakthroughs about planetary formation,
atmospheric dynamics, magnetosphere, auroras, moons, and planetary system dynamics. The
knowledge gained from studying Jupiter can have wide-ranging implications for our
understanding of planetary science, astrophysics, and planetary systems beyond our solar system.
These are all of which humanity has not familiarized itself with… yet.
X. References
Written in of the citation style: Chicago Manual Style 17th Edition
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2. Dowling, Stephen. “How the UAE Got a Spacecraft to Mars – on the First Try.” How
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he-first-try.
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http://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/cosmic-detective-work-why-we-care-about-space-rocks.
4. NASA Solar System Exploration. “Venus,” April 13, 2023.
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus/overview.
5. Choi, Gohd, & Dobrijevic. “Planet Venus Facts: A Hot, Hellish & Volcanic Planet.”
Space.com, September 29, 2022.
https://www.space.com/44-venus-second-planet-from-the-sun-brightest-planet-in-solar-sy
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6. McKay, Christopher. “An Origin of Life.” National Library of Medicine, April 2, 2013.
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