In the United Arab Emirates launched a national astronaut training program.
Dubai, UAE. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has launched the first national program for the selection and training of "domestic" astronauts. Young Emirates - both boys and girls - are invited to participate in the selection, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, said.
This initiative fits well with the UAE's plans to launch a probe to Mars in 2021 and to colonize the red planet in 2117. "With the launch of the new space program, a new page in history opens. People from the UAE overcome all obstacles - nothing can stop those who believe that the impossible is possible," Sheikh Mohammed said on social networks.
The ruler of Dubai noted that the most competitive candidates will be selected as ambassadors of the UAE in space exploration. Emirates can register at www.mbrsc.ae/astronauts. The selected contestants will have an extensive program of theoretical and practical training according to international standards.
The UAE team will include 4 emirate astronauts - they will go to the International Space Station. As previously reported, Roscosmos may take part in the training of emirate cosmonauts.
