The United Arab Emirates has announced an ambitious new project to create livable environments on Mars within the next 100 years.

The Mars 2117 Project was unveiled earlier this week in Dubai by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who rules the emirate.

“The landing of people on other planets has been a longtime dream for humans. Our aim is that the UAE will spearhead international efforts to make this dream a reality,” he said.

India launched 104 satellites into space on one mission

“The new project is a seed that we plant today, and we expect future generations to reap the benefits, driven by its passion to learn to unveil a new knowledge,“ Sheikh Mohammed added.

The country has already invested $5.4 billion (£4.3 billion) it its space agency, created in 2014, which was originally proposed as a Pan-Arab Space Agency similar to Europe’s.

What will a home on Mars look like?

It works in partnership with the National Centre of Space Studies of France and the UK Space Agency.

The Red Planet is one of its focus areas: the UAE’s first mission to the planet, Mars Hope, is due to launch in 2021. If successful it will be the first Arab probe sent into space.

Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures The MAVEN spacecraft orbiting Mars EPA Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures Nasa finds flowing water on Mars - in pictures In this handout illustration provided by NASA/JPL, an artist's conception of the Phoenix Mars Lander on the Red Planet. Phoenix is slated to land on Mars on May 25, 2008.

The Mars 2117 project will begin with an Emirati team of scientists before expanding internationally, a statement said. Over the coming decades it will explore how to travel to the planet faster, as well as how to meet human needs for food, transport and energy on Earth’s neighbour.