With UAE’s Emirates Mars Mission being a massive success in the country’s progress to explore space, His His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has now announced the launch of the Emirates Lunar Mission.
The UAE’s new initiative will be the first Emirati and Arab mission to explore the moon, and is part of the new 2021-2031 strategy launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The mission also includes the development and launch of the first Emirati lunar rover named “Rashid”, after the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, builder of modern Dubai.
Using the lunar rover, the mission will not only explore the moon’s surface in an area that has not been explored by any previous lunar exploration missions, but also supports the UAE’s efforts to develop the region’s space industry and contribute to its future.
As for the upcoming rover, it will be designed and built in the UAE by an Emirati team of engineers, experts and researchers, and once complete, the UAE will become the first Arab country and the fourth country in the world to land on the lunar surface. Impressive, to say the least.
Using state-of-the-art technologies including a 3D camera, advanced motion and communication system and solar panels, the lunar rover will be collecting scientific data on matters relating to the origin of the solar system, our planet and life.
MBRSC is expecting to launch the lunar rover by 2024, with the design aiming to complete 2021, manufactured in 2022, while preliminary experiments and tests of the prototype are expected to start in 2023.
“By exploring the Moon, we are drafting a new inspiring chapter in the UAE’s growing list of achievements in space and beyond,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
“We chose to name the Lunar Rover ‘Rashid’, after the builder of the modern renaissance of Dubai and one of the founders of the UAE. This project is the largest national and humanitarian project in the region.”
He adds: “What lies ahead is even more promising.”
While we wait for another out of the world feat from the UAE, check out what Dubai has planned for its Mars Science City in pictures right here.
For plenty more updates in the UAE, click here.
For more information, visit www.mbrsc.ae.
