The UAE reveals ambitious plans to grow palm trees and strawberries on Mars, despite the fact its space probe hasn't even left the ground yet
- The UAE Space Agency plans to send a space probe to Mars in 2020
- A spokesman has now revealed that the agency also has agriculture ambitions
- The agency also plans to to grow tomatoes and lettuce on Mars
- A timeline for the space agriculture plans remains unclear
Palm trees are one of the most symbolic plants in the UAE, and it seems that authorities plan to make their mark on Mars by planting the trees on the planet.
Experts from the UAE Space Agency have revealed plans to grow date palms, lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries on Mars.
The news comes shortly after the agency revealed that it would be sending a probe to Mars in 2020.
A timeline for the space agriculture plans remains unclear.
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Experts from the UAE Space Agency have revealed their ambitious space agriculture plans for the red planet (artist's impression pictured)
Speaking at the Dubai Airshow this week, Rashid Al Zaadi, a senior strategic planner at the UAE Space Agency, revealed the that the agency is pumping money into two space agriculture research plans, according to the BBC.
Mr Al Zaadi said: 'There are similarities between Mars and the desert.
'The landscape of the UAE, the soil, are similar.'
'Well, when we get there, we'll have to eat.'
Mr Al Zaadi explained that the date palm was chosen for its symbolic links with the region.
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Experts from the UAE Space Agency have revealed plans to grow date palms, lettuces, tomatoes, and strawberries on Mars (artist's impression pictured)
The other three plants were chosen because scientists have already established they might be able to grow on Mars, according to Mr Al Zaadi.
The news comes shortly after Dubai announced that it is building a £100 million (AED 500 million/$135 million) 'Mars Science City,' to simulate life on the red planet.
The city will cover 1.9 million square feet, making it the largest space simulation city ever built.
The project will be home to a team of researchers who will live there for a year, carrying out experiments to look at the food, water and energy needs to sustain life on Mars.
The city will contain advanced laboratories that simulate Mars' terrain and harsh environment.
The news comes shortly after Dubai announced that it is building a £100 million (AED 500 million/$135 million) 'Mars Science City,' to simulate life on the red planet (artist's impression pictured)
The project will be home to a team of researchers who will live there for a year, carrying out experiments to look at the food, water and energy needs to sustain life on Mars (artist's impression pictured)
The designers hope that this experience will form an important reference model for future innovation around sustaining life in a hostile environment.
The project is part of Dubai's Mars 2117 Strategy which seeks to build the first settlement on Mars in the next 100 years.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai, said: 'The landing of people on other planets has been a longtime dream for humans. Our aim is that the UAE will spearhead international efforts to make this dream a reality.'
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