Issue 69: The Impossible is Possible
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re still in awe of the successful launch of the UAE’s Hope probe to Mars – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
The Impossible is Possible
In the small hours of Monday, the UAE sent the Arab world’s first interplanetary spacecraft to Mars. The Hope probe to Mars was first announced in 2014 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and its successful launch this week was hailed as the UAE’s “greatest achievement yet” by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. At a time of great uncertainty in the world, the Emirates Mars Mission reminds us that nothing is impossible. Now the probe begins a long and arduous journey to the Red Planet.
The journey: Over the next 200 days, the Hope probe will travel nearly 600 million kilometers to Mars. Then the really hard part happens as engineers back on earth guide the probe into the Martian orbit to begin collecting data about the planet’s climate and, perhaps most importantly, its climate history. This is all done at very high speeds with major communication delays of up to 22 minutes. Nasa’s Perseverance rover already sent a “see you soon” welcome message to its interplanetary cousin. The Hope Probe is one of three missions to Mars this summer. The Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States will also be launching soon to take advantage of the period when Earth and Mars are nearest.
Inspire the generations: Aside from the scientific contributions this mission will achieve, it’s symbolic for the UAE and the region as a whole. As The National noted on launch day, “the Mars mission is testament to the UAE’s keenness to invest in its youth and empower new generations of Arab scientists and innovators.” In our final edition of Backstory: Space on Friday, we’ll explore the lasting effects this scientific feat will have on all sectors of UAE society. And it’s not just the scientific community that will benefit. Space exploration emboldens people to be better and proves that boundaries are artificial. The launch of the Hope probe inspires all of us to achieve the unthinkable.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“No entertainment on Earth can match a good story compellingly told."
– Olivia Butler, author
BACKSTORY: SPACE
The UAE has sent the first Arab space mission to Mars. The Amal spacecraft, which means Hope, lifted off from a remote Japanese island on 20th July. Look out for the final installment of our special Backstory: Space edition landing in your inbox this Friday morning. This mission is about much more than space exploration and we’ll fill you in on the backstory you need to fully appreciate this historic event.
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
Agility in action: The UAE Government, under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, announced a major reshuffle this month. Ministries and departments across the Government will be merged to create a more agile governing structure. Just like the creation of the Dubai Council at the start of 2020, this decision is vital to the UAE’s efforts to be one of the most responsive and forward-thinking in the world. In light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, this announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. In our latest piece, we explore how this change will transform the Government for the better.
Women in the 4IR: The Fourth Industrial Revolution. It’s here and it’s transforming the future of work. The coming transformation of labor could improve the position of women in the workplace. If we start a conversation about the role of gender in 4IR today, we can lay the groundwork for a more equitable future tomorrow. In this piece published by Xische, Mary Ames explores the issues at play. She argues that we must realize the invaluable perspectives women can bring to designing and regulating the future to explore the full potential of 4IR.
A MESSAGE FROM SPIDERSILK
Practical cybersecurity: In today’s online world, cybersecurity is a critical line of defense for any business. Enter SpiderSilk, a Dubai-based cybersecurity firm specializing in simulating the most advanced cyber offenses on your technology so you can build your best security defenses. Mitigating risk and protecting digital infrastructure can be achieved through the most advanced adversarial simulations and advisory services.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Phone health: Back on Earth, we’re still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing reality of remote working (for many of us, at least). All this time at home and isolated from our friends has resulted in excessive smartphone usage. A new app claims to be able to track mental health via your phone usage. Not a bad idea. The PROSIT app can tell user emotions by analyzing voice, keystrokes, and amount of sleep. What can’t our phones do at this stage?
Freelance city: In last week’s edition of Backstory, we explored how digital businesses are having a moment. Connected to digital business is the rise of the digital nomad and the power of the freelancer. In this piece from Quartz, Dubai ranks in the world’s top 10 cities to be a freelancer. As Covid-19 continues to transform the labor marketplace, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Dubai become an even more attractive hub for the world’s digital nomads.
QUICK HITS
Deepfakes reach a new frontier in the disinformation wars.
The future of work looks a lot like The Sims.
Halloumi, the cheese, heads to court.