Martin Rees is a member of the UK House of Lords and the British Astronomer Royal
November 28, 2022
I’m old enough to have excitedly watched the grainy TV images of the first Moon landings by Apollo 11 in 1969. I can never look at the Moon without recalling this heroic exploit. It was achieved only 12 years after the first object, Sputnik-1, was launched into orbit. Had that momentum been maintained, there would surely have been footprints on Mars a decade or two later. That’s what many of our generation expected. However, in the 1960s there was a “space race” – a contest in superpower rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union, when Nasa absorbed up to 4 per cent of the US federal budget. Once that race was won, there was no motivation for continuing this huge expenditure.
To today’s young people, these exploits – still the “apogee” of human spaceflight – are ancient history. Yet, space technology has burgeoned. We depend on satellites every day, for communication, weather forecasting surveillance, and satnav. Robotic probes to other planets have beamed back pictures of varied and distinctive worlds; several have landed on Mars. And telescopes in space have revolutionised our knowledge of the cosmos.
The successful launch this month of Nasa’s Artemis 1 rocket – at the third attempt – signals the start of a new programme to send astronauts to the Moon this decade – and perhaps eventually to Mars. And there may be parallel developments from China.
Nasa's Artemis 1 Moon rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Reuters
The unmanned Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion crew capsule attached launched from complex 39B. Reuters
This was the third attempt by Nasa to launch the rocket. Reuters
Artemis 1 ready for launch at Florida's Kennedy Space Centre on November 16, 2022. Getty Images / AFP
Previous attempts were failed owing to hydrogen leaks. Two hurricanes delayed other attempts. Getty Images / AFP
The Artemis 1 mission is an uncrewed test flight around the Moon and will test the Space Launch System rocket's performance. Getty Images / AFP
The Artemis I lunar rocket sits on launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on November 15, 2022. AFP
Black vultures circle the area as the Artemis I lunar rocket sits on launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on November 15, 2022. AFP
Artemis 1 is actually not very different from the Saturn V rockets that launched the Apollo astronauts. Like its predecessors, its booster combines liquid hydrogen and oxygen to create enormous lifting power before falling into the ocean. Planned launches by the SpaceX “starship” launcher, similar in size, should be far cheaper because the rocket can be recovered and reused.
Artemis 1 is intended to be followed within two years by a mission that will take astronauts to orbit around the Moon. The third launch, later this decade, will allow astronauts to return to the lunar surface – after a more than 50-year gap.
But it’s good that robotic lunar exploration – far more cost-effective – is being pursued by other nations. And, in particular, that the UAE’s Rashid rover will soon be on its way. The mission, whose launch has been scheduled on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral in Florida, will be one of great interest to all of us, particularly as its objective is to study the geology of the Moon. I am also told that thousands of high-resolution images will be captured of the surrounding areas, which will not only make for interesting viewing but also deepen our understanding about the Moon.
Many, in fact, query the case for sending humans. The romance of human spaceflight is undimmed, but there is an important difference between the Apollo era and the mid-2020s; the amazing improvement in our ability to create, launch, and guide robot explorers and fabricators. These are exemplified by the suite of rovers on Mars, where Perseverance, Nasa’s latest prospector, can drive itself through rocky terrain with only limited guidance from Earth. Furthermore, improvements in sensors and in AI will enable robotic rovers, within 10 or 20 years, to do geology on the Moon and Mars. Similarly, engineering projects – such as astronomers’ dream of constructing a large radio telescope on the far side of the Moon, free of interference from Earth, or assembling solar energy collectors in space – no longer require human intervention, but could instead proceed robotically. The same is true for the mining of rare minerals. Instead of astronauts who require an enclosed and well-furnished environment from which to emerge for construction purposes, robotic fabricators can remain permanently at their work site.
Astronauts require far more “maintenance” than robots, simply because their journeys and operations require air, water, food, living space, and protection against harmful radiation, especially from solar storms. Moreover, safety and reliability standards must be more stringent, and therefore more expensive, when human lives are at stake.
Already substantial for any trip to the Moon, the cost differences between human and robotic journeys would grow much larger for any long-term stay. A voyage to Mars, hundreds of times longer than one to the Moon, would not only expose astronauts to far greater risks but also make emergency support far less feasible.
Even astronaut enthusiasts accept that almost two decades could elapse before the first crewed trip to Mars. In that time, advances in AI will close the current gap between robots’ capabilities and those that we possess. Moreover, robots could explore the outer solar system with little additional expense, since journeys of several years present little more challenge to a robot than the six-month voyage to Mars.
The scientific trade-offs plainly favour robots. But some would highlight other motives that justify space voyages by humans – at least to the Moon, if not to Mars.
Politics has entered the normally apolitical realm of space exploration in recent months, in large part due to the war in Ukraine. Reuters
Close to the Moon’s south pole, the “Peaks of Eternal Light”, on the walls of the Shackleton Crater, which never fall into shadow as the Moon rotates, provide the best location for a lunar colony that relies on solar power. If this happens, let’s hope it is achieved internationally, via co-operation and not via conflict. We would not want the US, China and Russia to create separate colonies – far better if they could co-operate. Involvement of nations in Europe, and in the Middle East – led maybe by the UAE – would be benign and a deeply positive symbol of international collaboration.
For many, the compelling case for human spaceflight is “inspirational”: how can we expect children to lift their eyes to the stars, or their spirits to the heavens, without suggesting that they may themselves travel into space someday?
And some would regard as even more compelling the argument that “humans are explorers – always have been, always will be”. Strong segments of our society remain enthusiastic about supporting ever-greater journeys of exploration, and it’s encouraging that the UAE is embarking on this inspirational challenge.
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples. Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts. Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany - At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people - Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed - Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest - He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
