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Middle East Tomorrow
The Hope Mars mission put the UAE in orbit around another planet, and the region's ambitions keep climbing. Astronauts, lunar rovers, Masdar City and vast solar parks show the Middle East leading in space and clean energy.
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At a glance
Hope Mars mission
The Emirates Mars Mission's Hope probe launched in 2020 and entered orbit around Mars in February 2021, making the UAE the first Arab nation to reach the Red Planet. It studies the Martian atmosphere and shares its data freely with scientists worldwide.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai also built the Rashid lunar rover, launched toward the Moon in December 2022 as the Arab world's first lunar rover, and a successor, Rashid 2, is in development. The center's satellites, built by Emirati engineers, watch the region's cities and coasts from orbit.
Flew aboard the US Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985, the first Arab and first Muslim in space.
Became the first Emirati in space with a mission to the International Space Station in 2019.
Spent about six months on the ISS in 2023 and made the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut.
Flew to the ISS in 2023; Barnawi became the first Saudi woman in space.
A low-carbon district near the airport, home to MBZUAI, the International Renewable Energy Agency and green buildings you can tour.
The UAE's clean energy company invests in solar and wind projects on several continents, aiming for 100 gigawatts of capacity by 2030.
One of the world's largest single-site solar parks, growing in phases toward 5,000 megawatts by 2030, with a visitor innovation center.
Official site ↗Four reactors supplying a large share of the UAE's electricity with zero-carbon power.
Official site ↗A large green hydrogen plant powered by solar and wind, developed by ACWA Power, Air Products and NEOM. Start of production to be confirmed. See NEOM.
Space fans can tour the planetarium-style exhibits at the Museum of the Future and plan a stop in Abu Dhabi for Masdar City. The energy shift also shapes property: new districts such as Masdar City and the Saudi Red Sea resorts run largely on renewable power. Read investing near the new landmarks.
Saudi Arabia's space
The Saudi Space Agency, created in 2018 as the Saudi Space Commission and elevated to an agency in 2023, runs an astronaut program and is investing in satellites and space science. On the ground, the Kingdom is building some of the world's largest solar and wind projects, with a goal of producing half its electricity from renewables by 2030.
Oman and Morocco are also emerging leaders in green hydrogen and solar power. Morocco's Noor Ouarzazate complex near the Sahara is one of the largest concentrated solar plants on Earth and can be seen on a desert road trip; see our Morocco guide.
Hope has mapped the Martian atmosphere across seasons and times of day, including detailed views of its auroras, and shares its data openly with scientists.
Yes. Masdar City is open to visitors, with cafes, sustainable buildings and the MBZUAI campus, about 20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman flew in 1985. The UAE's Hazza AlMansouri reached the International Space Station in 2019, and Sultan AlNeyadi completed the first Arab spacewalk in 2023.
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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.