Dubai is building a Mars simulation city

Dubai is building a complete Mars simulation city, and it’s going to be pretty big. Dubai never turns down great projects, but this is truly something out of the ordinary.

The government of the United Arab Emirates commissioned world-famous architect and BIG founder Bjarke Ingels to build nothing less than a Mars prototype in the desert, and the project turned out to be stunning. The announcement of the construction of the simulator was made a few days before Elon Musk announced the launch of automated SpaceX flights to Mars by 2022, with people settling there by 2024. You can read more about the SpaceX mission in a separate article.

Elon Musk’s intentions are significantly more optimistic than the UAE’s plans to build a «mini-city» on Mars by 2117. In February, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Mars 2117 would involve both the Emirates and top international scientists.

The Mars Simulator Science City project is another step in this direction. With a total cost of nearly $140 million, it will cover 1.9 million square feet and provide «a viable and realistic simulation of living on the surface of Mars.» This high-profile project will definitely add to the list of new architectural wonders in Dubai.

The project aims to attract the best scientific minds from around the world. It looks pretty interesting for scientists and engineers to live in a red planet city for one year. Formed by interconnected domes, Science City will have several laboratories for growing food, extracting energy and water, and agricultural testing. To simulate life on Mars, they will use 3D printing technology and thermal radiation insulation. The prototype city also includes a museum dedicated to the biggest advances in human space history.