Mars Science City is planned for the desert outside Dubai, intended as a space to develop technology to colonize Mars.
Bjarke Ingels Group
Architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have designed a prototype of a city for humans to live on Mars, and then adapted the design for the Emirati desert.
Bjarke Ingels Group
The design is made up of biodomes, each covered with a transparent polyethylene membrane.
Dubai Media Office
On Mars, buildings would be 3D printed under the domes, using Martian soil. On Earth, desert sand could be used instead.
Dubai Media Office
The design features water-filled skylights, which on Mars would shield residents from radiation, while allowing light to enter the rooms.
Bjarke Ingels Group
BIG's design for the Earth-bound Science City sets aside areas for research into living on Mars, including growing food there.
Bjarke Ingels Group
It also includes an exhibition space.
Bjarke Ingels Group
Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is behind the initiative. It says Mars Science City is still in the concept stage, and that it hasn't yet settled on a design or architect for the final build.
Dubai Media Office
The MBRSC is launching a Mars probe (pictured) this summer, which will reach the Red Planet in February 2021.
MBRSC
The launch is planned to fall during the biennial window when Earth and Mars are closest together, starting in July 2020 and going into early August.
MBRSC
In 2019, Major Hazzaa AlMansoori became the first Emirati in space and the first Arab astronaut to travel to the International Space Station.
