UAE launches Dh2M challenge to explore habitation in space

dubai — The UAE has launched a Space Settlement Challenge, a dedicated Dh2 million seed grant fund that supports ambitious projects to explore the future of human space habitation. The challenge aims to attract brilliant minds from all around the world regardless of discipline, background or origin.

The fund will be used to bankroll proposals that explore novel ideas and develop business models for living and working in space. “The challenge will solicit project proposals from diverse disciplines through a platform called Guaana, whose innovative model reduces the time and effort required to fund seed ideas,” said the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) in a Press statement.

The challenge is the first project of the newly established Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Accelerated Research.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the DFF, said: “The UAE is on an ambitious path to lead the global space race, establishing the first city on Mars as per the 2117 Mars Project. Space research is the logical next step in humanity’s search for knowledge and survival, and an advanced means to preserve human cultures, societies and economies.

“The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Settlement Challenge we are launching today is designed to provide support for creative minds, unconventional ideas, innovative designs and research.” Application is open from February 10, 2018, for a month on: www.mbrspacechallenge. ae.—

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Settlement Challenge we are launching today is designed to provide support for creative minds, unconventional ideas, innovative designs and research.” Khalfan Belhoul, CEO, DFF