12 Things The UAE Is Doing To Make Mars Inhabitable By 2117

Yes, in 99 years, we could be living on Mars. Learn more about the UAE's mission to Mars!

You read the headline correctly. By the year 2117, when millennials are 125 years old, the United Arab Emirates aims to create an inhabitable human settlement on Mars.

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It may sound farfetched, but wilder things have happened. Here's how they plan to get there:

1. First, they'll select and train nine astronauts in the UAE's first-ever astronaut program.

The astronauts will be training to head to space to participate in various missions with scientific research at their core.

2. After the astronauts train, the UAE plans to work closely with NASA to send them to join missions aboard the International Space Station in April 2019.

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It's unbelievable to think that at any given moment you can look up in the sky and know there are people in space working on the ISS. It's a huge step for the UAE to have a presence there, and this inclusion will allow them to work closely with NASA as well as solidify their presence in the field of space exploration.

3. The following year, in July 2020, they plan to launch the Emirates Mars probe, "Hope."

The UAE is working closely with American universities like University of Colorado, University of California-Berkley, and Arizona State University to share knowledge and expertise to get Hope to Mars. This is a big deal; their ambassador to the USA, Yousef Al Otaiba, has referred to this mission as the "Arab world's version of President Kennedy's moon shot."

4. Once the probe has reached Mars in 2021, it will serve as the planet's first weather satellite.

It will be taking pictures and collecting data to help us study and understand the planet's atmosphere and climate.

5. The UAE will dive deep into the collected data to study things like Mars' winds, temperature, and climate.

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While they won't be studying if men are, in fact, from Mars, they will be studying Mars like never before. This data will be crucial in better understanding Mars, Earth, and other planets. For example, we know that water cannot exist on the face of Mars in the form of a liquid — only a gas or a solid — because the atmosphere is too thin. By studying the particular climate of Mars, scientists will be able to better understand its evolution and how that relates to Earth's climate.

6. Because the UAE is dedicated to the space race, they will share all of the data freely with the scientific community and over 200 universities.

The more eyes on the data, the more possibilities for discoveries and learnings. Sharing this knowledge freely with the scientific community will only further the impact the data can have.

7. Since 2117 is a century away, the UAE wants to bring Mars to Earth by constructing what they are calling Mars Scientific City.

Mars Scientific City's goal is to simulate life on Mars. Covering 1.9 million square feet, it would be the largest space-simulation city ever built.

8. Laboratories inside this city would be dedicated to studying things like food and water.

The hope is that this city will attract scientists from all over the world to come together to study things like water, food, and energy. There will also be areas dedicated to agricultural testing and determining how best to preserve food.

9. And if you're dying to experience Mars now, there will be a museum for you to explore.

3D-printed walls made from UAE sand will give it that rugged Martian exterior look. The museum will honor humankind's achievements in space and hopes to educate and inspire younger generations to get involved in the study of space.

10. A team of scientists and astronauts will spend a year living in a part of the city that simulates the rugged terrain and extreme environment of Mars.

To re-create life on Mars, they'll tap into advanced technologies in 3D printing, heat, and insulation. The goal is that by simulating a year on the red planet's harsh terrain, they'll be able to learn more about how to sustain life under such brutal conditions.

11. The UAE hopes that by dedicating time and resources to studying Mars and space, they'll inspire younger generations to whom they'll pass the torch.

The UAE has already made significant strides in inspiring younger generations through programs like the UAE Genes in Space competition. In order to successfully inhabit Mars in 100 years, it's imperative that younger minds come together in continuing the conquest for deeper knowledge and understanding of outer space.

12. And hopefully by 2117, we'll be living on Mars. 👽✌🏻

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There's no telling what this settlement will look like, but the UAE's dedication to better understanding the red planet is a massive step toward making Mars the hottest tourist destination in 2117 (sorry, Tulum). See y'all there!

All images courtesy of the United Arab Emirates unless otherwise noted.

FInd out more about the UAE's Mission to Mars.