Learn about the ambitious space missions launched by the UAE.
The UAE will be participating in developing a module on NASA’s Lunar Gateway Station alongside the USA, Japan, Canada and the European Union, in addition to sending the first Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit as part of the project.
The UAE is the fifth partner in this project, which involves landing on the moon’s surface in preparation for upcoming missions directed towards Mars.
The UAE will be responsible for developing the lunar space station's Crew and Science Airlock, a critical component for maintaining a safe environment for astronauts. This unit will act as a portal of the station, serving as the entry and exit point for missions and astronauts travelling to the moon’s surface from the Lunar Gateway Station.
The first elements of Gateway are expected to be launched by 2025, while the Emirates Airlock is scheduled to be launched by 2030.
UAE announces its participation in Nasa’s Lunar Gateway Station – UAEGOV on X
Under the Emirates Lunar Mission – 2024, the UAE aims to develop a lunar rover in the UAE and send it to the moon by 2024. The aim of the mission is to study various aspects such as thermal properties of the lunar surface and the formation and components of the lunar soil. It involves carrying out a series of measurements and tests that will expand human understanding of the Moon-plasma, photoelectrons and dust particles located over the illuminated part of the lunar surface. The project aims to pave the way for discoveries that can contribute to the development of science and specialised high-precision technologies in the space sector.
Rashid, the rover
The rover, named Rashid in honour of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, former Ruler of Dubai, will land on those areas of the moon that have not been explored before. It will gather and send data and images relating to its findings. The data will create a knowledge base that will help in building a research station on the moon and in answering questions related to the formation of the solar system. The rover will try new exploration techniques which will help test the UAE’s capabilities before embarking on manned missions to Mars.
Challenges
The lunar rover is expected to face many challenges, because the environment on the surface of the moon is harsher than that on Mars, and the temperature can reach minus 173 degrees Celsius. The focus of the Emirati team at MBRSC is to design a lunar rover capable of bypassing all potential obstacles while performing its mission.
Timeline
A team of Emirati engineers, researchers and experts at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have started the design of the lunar rover. The design is expected to be finalised by 2021. The rover is expected to be manufactured by 2022, tested during 2023 and launched by 2024. MBRSC will partner with an international entity for landing the lunar rover on the moon.
Space centre strategy
Announced in September 2020, the Emirates Lunar Mission is one of the key components of the new Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre Strategy 2021-2031. The strategy aims to boost the Centre’s international competitiveness, build new international knowledge partnerships and develop Emirati capabilities in the field of space exploration and space technologies.
Once completed and launched, the UAE will become the first Arab country and the fourth country in the world to successfully land on the moon after the United States of America, Russia, (formerly the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and China.
In line with Mars 2117 Strategy, which seeks to build the first settlement on Mars in the next 100 years, the UAE will build a complex of buildings called Mars Science City. The AED 500 million city will cover 1.9 million square feet making it the largest space-simulation city ever built.
The project encompasses laboratories for food, energy and water, as well as agricultural testing and studies about food security in the future. A range of experiments will be devised to lead innovation around self-sufficiency in energy, water and food.
Mars Science City will also boast a museum that displays humanity’s greatest space achievements, including educational areas meant to engage young citizens with space and inspire a passion in them for exploration and discovery. The walls of the museum will be 3D printed, using sand from the UAE’s deserts.
Mars Science City project includes an experiential element. It will provide a viable and realistic model to simulate living on Mars. A team of scientists and astronauts will live in the simulated red planet for one year.
Related links:
VP, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince launch AED 500 mn Mars Science City at UAE Government Annual Meetings – WAM.
The UAE Space Agency and MBRSC have signed an agreement to build an unmanned probe to Mars. The UAE would be the first Arab and Islamic country to be sending an unmanned spacecraft to Mars. The UAE would send the spacecraft by 2021, coinciding with the country's 50th anniversary. The UAE Space Agency would execute the mission with support from international partners.
The UAE’s Hope probe began its journey to Mars on 20 July 2020 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The aim of Emirates Mars Mission is to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere and the reasons for the absence of an environment suitable for life there.
read more about the Emirates Mars Mission.
Watch this video about UAE mission to Mars
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