AFP will on Friday move the first part in a series of multimedia stories on humanity's dream of reaching Mars, with contributions from the United States, Europe, China and the United Arab Emirates. Space-Mars-science-mission,ADVANCER PARIS Space agencies in the United Arab Emirates, China and the United States each plan to send missions to the Red Planet this summer, with the first set to lift-off for the six-month voyage on July 15. 700 words 0400 GMT by Juliette Collen. Graphic. Video. File picture Science-space-Mars-UAE,FOCUS DUBAI The oil-rich United Arab Emirates has built a nuclear power programme and sent a man to space, and now plans to join another elite club by sending a probe to Mars in what will be a first for the Arab world. 650 words 0400 GMT by Dana Moukhallati. Picture. Video Science-space-Mars-UAE,FACTS DUBAI The first Arab space mission to Mars is scheduled to blast off July 15. Here are some facts and figures about the oil-rich nation's project, which draws inspiration from the Middle East's golden age of cultural and scientific achievements. 550 words 0400 GMT Science-space-Mars,CHRONO PARIS The six-decade space race to explore Mars has led to some 40 missions, at least half of which have been successful, and still the Red Planet inspires new adventures. A look back at some key Mars missions over the last 60 years 650 words 0400 GMT Space-Mars-science-mission-life,FOCUS PARIS It is, more than anything, the search for extra-terrestrial life has inspired scientists and governments to invest massive amounts of time, energy and money into exploring Mars. Will they come up empty-handed? 700 words by Juliette Collen. Graphic. Video. File picture China-Mars-science-space,FACTS BEIJING This will be a landmark event for China: the Asian giant is preparing to launch its first probe and rover to Mars in July. Here are five things to know about this Chinese mission and Beijing's space ambitions. 600 words Science-space-Mars-Perseverance,FOCUS WASHINGTON NASA's fifth Mars rover Perseverance launches from Earth on July 30, on a mission to seek out signs of ancient microbes on what was once a river delta billions of years ago. 700 words by Ivan Couronne. Picture. Video. Graphic Science-space-Mars-human-exploration,FOCUS WASHINGTON The first successful robot touched down on Mars in 1976, but when will humanity set foot on the Red Planet? It will be technically feasible by the 2030s, experts say, but politically unlikely. 700 words by Ivan Couronne. File picture. Video. Graphic afp