Abu Dhabi: Many people may not know that the founder of UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, cared greatly about space and the scientific results achieved from such trips, according to a renowned space scientist.

Recalling his three meetings with Shaikh Zayed in the mid-1970s, Egyptian-American space scientist Dr Farouk Al Baz said he had met Shaikh Zayed in June 1974 after the completion of the Apollo lunar exploration mission.

Dr Al Baz had worked with Nasa (The National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the US) to assist in the planning of scientific exploration of the Moon, including the selection of landing sites for the Apollo missions and the training of astronauts in lunar observations and photography.

He addressed the UAE Space Agency launch ceremony on Monday via a video.

Dr Al Baz said that Shaikh Zayed was pleased to know the Appollo 15 astronauts took on the trip with them Al Fatiha verse from the Quran to protect them, and that the leading astronaut sent a greeting from the Moon, saying: “Hello people of the earth – we send peace to you.”

Dr Al Baz gave him a present which was a map of the surface of the moon that detailed six landing sites. Shaikh Zayed was pleased that the map showed the names of the ancient Arab scientists who were around during the golden era of Islam such as Abu Al Fada, Beruni, Al Battani and Ibn Yunus and others,” he said.

“Shaikh Zayed joined me for our second meeting — in January 1975 — with a leading Apollo 15 astronaut James Arron. [Shaikh Zayed] asked about the atmosphere on the moon, the breathing techniques, food and sleep — and even how to get rid of human waste.

The third meeting was in February 1976 and was with three astronauts from the US-Russian Apollo venture. Because the ship remained in orbit around the Earth, Shaikh Zayed asked what the Arab deserts look like. He was also very pleased with the replica space shuttle which Nasa presented to him.

UAE leaders have continued to be interested in identifying the secrets of the universe through space expeditions, Dr Al Baz said, citing the initiatives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The Hope Probe is a beacon for all Arabs, he said, referring to the UAE’s Mars Mission. “It lights up the path of progress and the possibility of more scientific and technological developments.”