HE Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi As the UAE edges closer to sending an Emirati astronaut into space, so Al Ahbabi’s stock continues to rise. The director general of the UAE Space Agency has not only boosted interest and awareness in the UAE’s $6bn space sector, but has spearheaded one of the nation’s most ambitious schemes – to send a probe… As the UAE edges closer to sending an Emirati astronaut into space, so Al Ahbabi’s stock continues to rise. The director general of the UAE Space Agency has not only boosted interest and awareness in the UAE’s $6bn space sector, but has spearheaded one of the nation’s most ambitious schemes – to send a probe into orbit around Mars. Last year, Al Ahbabi announced that the Dhs500m ($136.1m) Mars City is on track to launch in Dubai by 2020, simulating life on the surface of Mars. Meanwhile, the Hope probe should launch towards the Red Planet in the same year, and begin orbiting in 2021. Director general, UAE Space Agency Origin:UAE Residence:UAE Sector:Technology