From Leading a Young Space Agency to Mars to Setting Her Sights Further into the Galaxy
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| Sarah Al Amiri: Propelling the UAE Into the Asteroid Belt |
When Sarah Al Amiri was growing up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), space hardly occupied the thoughts of her or anyone else in the region. Unlike countries like the United States or Russia, where space exploration is deeply ingrained in the culture, the UAE, a nation that was only 16 years old when Amiri was born, didn't prioritize space endeavors.
Al Amiri explained, "When you grow up in the U.S., you already have those space programs there. We didn't have even a semblance of that when I was growing up. It was something you thought of as a fascination—not a career choice."
Ironically, she would later become not only the Minister of State for Science but also the first chairwoman of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA). This achievement was well-deserved, considering her pivotal role as the science lead for the UAESA's Mars Hope mission, which successfully reached the Red Planet.
Since then, Amiri has continued to guide the UAESA towards increasingly ambitious projects, including lunar exploration. In April, the agency collaborated with the Japanese private aerospace company ispace to send a rover to the Moon's surface. Despite the mission's unfortunate ending with a lunar crash, Amiri emphasized that it only strengthened their determination to try again and venture further into space.
Their next challenge is no small feat—the UAESA is partnering with the University of Colorado Boulder to launch a mission to the asteroid belt in 2028. This mission presents unique challenges due to its greater distance from Earth and the dynamic nature of the asteroid belt.
Amiri recently sat down with The Daily Beast for an interview about the asteroid belt mission, the rise of commercial space ventures, and her thoughts on extraterrestrial life.
Interviewer: While many space agencies are focused on establishing a presence on the Moon and Mars, the UAESA's next major project is the asteroid belt. Can you explain the reasoning behind this choice?
Amiri: After successfully reaching Mars, we deliberated on our next steps. We asked ourselves, "What's next?" Should we pursue more transformative missions like Mars Hope or stimulate commercial opportunities in space? The asteroid belt seemed like a logical choice for several reasons. It offered the potential to research space resources for future human exploration and study water-based asteroids' origins. Additionally, it allowed us to build upon the technological advancements we made during the Emirates Mars mission. This combination of scientific potential and technological progress made the asteroid belt mission an exciting prospect.
Interviewer: Are there any plans for the next major mission after the asteroid belt?
Amiri: We must consider budgetary constraints and risk assessments when planning future missions. At this point, I haven't delved into specific plans. For me, it's about ensuring sustainability. We aim to maintain a consistent exploration presence with multiple missions and foster a robust commercial space industry capable of supplying spacecraft for Earth observation rapidly. I also hope to see the ripple effects of space exploration extend to other sectors, such as biotechnology, driving progress across various industries in our country.
Interviewer: It's interesting that you emphasize commercial opportunities in space. How do you envision the UAESA's partnership with private companies evolving?
Amiri: We currently have a productive relationship with the private sector and support individuals who want to establish their businesses in space. Some individuals who were part of our previous missions have now started their companies and are contributing to the mission concept for the asteroid belt. We've enabled companies to develop Earth observation projects, particularly for climate change monitoring. Collaborating with companies on spacecraft development, including harnesses and mechanical parts, is also part of our strategy.
Interviewer: Given the recent surge in UFO sightings worldwide, do you believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life?
Amiri: Yes, I do. It's difficult to fathom that we are the sole living beings in the universe.
Interviewer: Do you think these UFOs are evidence of aliens visiting Earth?
Amiri: When considering statistical probabilities, the vastness of the universe, and the technological challenges of interstellar travel, it's unclear if these sightings represent alien interventions. While I believe in the likelihood of alien life, our understanding of what constitutes life may vary significantly from the life forms that could exist elsewhere. Additionally, our human lifetimes are minuscule in the grand scheme of the universe, making it challenging to predict when and where alien life might exist.
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