A Very Modern Role Model: Carla DiBello On The Arab Space Race
The entrepreneur and celebrity style insider shares insight into why the Arab Space Race is a grand reminder Of hope, advancement, but most importantly – unity
September 25th, 2019 was a proud day for all of the UAE – the day Hazza Al Mansouri became the first Emirati to enter space, as well as the first Arab to visit the International Space Station; he subsequently filmed the first Arabic tour of it.
When asked what inspired him to become an astronaut, Hazza referenced Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab to enter space, as well as Muhammed Faris, the second Arab (and first Syrian) to travel into space. Hazza may be the first Emirati to follow suit, but he is part of a growing legacy of Arab space travel. And he is certainly not the last.
On February 9th this year, the aptly named Hope probe successfully entered Mars’ orbit. While unmanned, the probe was the UAE’s very first interplanetary mission. And like Hazza, more firsts came with it, with the Hope probe producing
the first-ever global map of the Mars atmosphere. This map will be shared without embargo with the entire international scientific community – a pretty unusual move in the world of aerospace that speaks as much to global advancements as it does to scientific ones.
We often hear space exploration spoken of as a vessel for scientific and technological advancement. And indeed, it has been one of the driving contributors to innovation in innumerable fields, from health and medicine to robotics, manufacturing, computing and beyond. But what interests me most are the advancements that space exploration has and can bring to a community – and not just for a country, but globally as well. Locally speaking, space exploration supports and gives rise and momentum to economy, education, and morale, begetting new opportunities and inspiring generations. Just as how Hazza Al Mansouri was inspired by previous Arab astronauts, there are countless Arabs now motivated by his journey into the unknown. Soon, the UAE may even have its first woman astronaut, as the numbers of female applicants are increasing. It’s not impossible to think it could have been sparked by the series of firsts which have come before, not to mention the Hope probe team itself.
With the average age at 27 and 34 per cent of the engineering team made up of women – not to mention a staggering 80 per cent of the science team, it’s no surprise to learn that the number of female applicants for the next mission has increased significantly. Inspiration is its own form of legacy when you consider that the power of symbolism is actionable. Symbolism sparks imagination, which inherently begets action.
As an American, I was deeply moved by Hazza and the Hope probe’s journeys into space. Regardless of what country or national origin, the benefit brought back from a mission is for all of us. There is a sense of unity that comes with each mission and every launch. Its eyes, curiosity, and quest for an understanding of the universe and our place within it is all of ours. A quest into space is a demonstration of human potential and a symbolic exercise in global cooperation.
No matter what country we are from, what our political stance maybe, or how we discern ourselves from others, when it comes to space exploration, we are all from the same place – we are country Earth. After all, xenophobia can only exist if there is an ‘other.’ But when you put us on the same team, we are able to find a sense of unity on a planetary level.
In this sense, the Hope probe and Hazza’s missions were wins for all of us. The mystery of the planets has been with us since we’ve been aware of ourselves. It is the great reminder that no matter how big our struggles feel for us within our own experience, there is something far greater out there. And when we foster inspiration and support our most inspired, we will always thrive together.
Photography: Efraim Evidor. Styling: Nour Bou Ezz. Carla Wears: Outfit, Red Valentino. Hair and Makeup: La Loge. With thanks to Walforf Astoria Hotel, DIFC.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2021 issue.
