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Gulf Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Hamdan witnesses signing of deal between MBRSC, Firefly Aerospace for Emirates Lunar Mission
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and President of MBRSC, witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Firefly Aerospace, under which the latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the moon. The signing was held at Emirates Towers. Under the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2, in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace's second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. Sheikh Hamdan said, "The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon places our nation among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration. Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space, but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe. The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions.' "We are committed to shaping a sustainable space industry ecosystem that fosters innovation, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and supports the continued growth of the UAE's scientific and technological leadership. Through missions like these, the UAE is set to further strengthen its position in the global space sector as a major player in expanding the horizons of discovery,' Sheikh Hamdan added. Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President, MBRSC, said, "We are grateful to Sheikh Hamdan for his steadfast support of MBRSC's endeavours, which continues to be instrumental in driving our progress. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the UAE's leadership, whose vision and unwavering commitment to innovation have enabled the nation to play an increasingly strategic role in global space exploration.' He added, "As the UAE prepares to go to the moon and explore its far side through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, we continue to demonstrate our capacity to transform vision into reality. It further strengthens the UAE's standing as a committed partner in global space exploration and underscores our contribution to shaping the future of scientific discovery beyond Earth.' Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, said, "The signing of this strategic agreement reflects our nation's commitment to investing in long-term scientific advancement, building advanced national capabilities, and forging impactful global partnerships. The Emirates Lunar Mission embodies this forward-looking vision, which is driven by a desire to contribute to humanity's collective understanding of the Moon, and to support the development of future lunar infrastructure and deep space initiatives." "As we pursue ever more ambitious endeavours with the support of our leadership, we remain focused on positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global scientific community and a source of innovation for future generations.' Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said, "On the heels of Firefly's flawless moon landing and operations, our team is looking forward to collaborating with the UAE and further expanding our representation of Artemis Accords nations on this groundbreaking mission to the far side of the Moon. We're honoured to support the international space community with our versatile Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft that can stack together to provide unique access to both lunar orbit and the lunar surface.' Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said, "The strategic agreement signed with Firefly Aerospace marks a significant advancement in the UAE's growing role in shaping the future of lunar exploration. Through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, the UAE will become one of the few nations to explore the far side of the Moon. The mission will deliver valuable scientific data on the lunar surface, plasma environment, and dust behaviour-contributing to global knowledge and supporting future lunar infrastructure development. As we prepare for this historic milestone, we remain dedicated to expanding the UAE's contributions to humanity's long-term presence in space.' MBRSC has outlined a set of ambitious scientific goals for the Rashid 2 Rover, which will demonstrate lunar surface mobility on the far side of the moon, where terrain and communication pose greater challenges than the near side. As part of the mission, the rover will undergo the material adhesion determination experiment, using various materials on its wheels to evaluate their durability against lunar dust. The findings can inform the design of future technologies such as spacesuits, habitats, and other critical infrastructure. Equipped with multiple cameras and scientific probes, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon's plasma environment, geology, and thermal conditions. It will also investigate the properties of lunar soil, surface structure temperatures, and the lunar photoelectron sheath, which will provide valuable insights to support future in-situ resource utilisation and advance further exploration of deep space. The rover will further carry a radio transmitter to communicate with other payloads during the mission. The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a pivotal part of the broader space exploration strategy under the UAE's National Space Programme, that prioritises the advancement of scientific knowledge, the empowerment of future generations, and the strengthening of international cooperation. WAM
Gulf Insider
23-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Moon Mission: Sheikh Hamdan Announces Rashid 2 Rover Lunar Exploration
The UAE will send a Rashid 2 Rover vehicle to explore the far side of the moon next year. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and President of MBRSC, witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Firefly Aerospace. The latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the moon. The signing was held at Emirates Towers. Under the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2, in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace's second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: 'The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon places our nation among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration. 'Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space, but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe. 'The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions. 'We are committed to shaping a sustainable space industry ecosystem that fosters innovation, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and supports the continued growth of the UAE's scientific and technological leadership. 'Through missions like these, the UAE is set to further strengthen its position in the global space sector as a major player in expanding the horizons of discovery'. Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President, MBRSC, said: 'We are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his steadfast support of MBRSC's endeavours, which continues to be instrumental in driving our progress. 'We also extend our sincere appreciation to the UAE's leadership, whose vision and unwavering commitment to innovation have enabled the nation to play an increasingly strategic role in global space exploration. 'As the UAE prepares to go to the moon and explore its far side through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, we continue to demonstrate our capacity to transform vision into reality. 'It further strengthens the UAE's standing as a committed partner in global space exploration and underscores our contribution to shaping the future of scientific discovery beyond Earth.' Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, said: 'The signing of this strategic agreement reflects our nation's commitment to investing in long-term scientific advancement, building advanced national capabilities, and forging impactful global partnerships. 'The Emirates Lunar Mission embodies this forward-looking vision, which is driven by a desire to contribute to humanity's collective understanding of the Moon, and to support the development of future lunar infrastructure and deep space initiatives. 'As we pursue ever more ambitious endeavours with the support of our leadership, we remain focused on positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global scientific community and a source of innovation for future generations.' Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said: 'On the heels of Firefly's flawless moon landing and operations, our team is looking forward to collaborating with the UAE and further expanding our representation of Artemis Accords nations on this groundbreaking mission to the far side of the Moon. 'We're honoured to support the international space community with our versatile Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft that can stack together to provide unique access to both lunar orbit and the lunar surface.' Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said: 'The strategic agreement signed with Firefly Aerospace marks a significant advancement in the UAE's growing role in shaping the future of lunar exploration. 'Through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, the UAE will become one of the few nations to explore the far side of the Moon. The mission will deliver valuable scientific data on the lunar surface, plasma environment, and dust behaviour—contributing to global knowledge and supporting future lunar infrastructure development. 'As we prepare for this historic milestone, we remain dedicated to expanding the UAE's contributions to humanity's long-term presence in space.' MBRSC has outlined a set of ambitious scientific goals for the Rashid 2 Rover, which will demonstrate lunar surface mobility on the far side of the moon — where terrain and communication pose greater challenges than the near side. As part of the mission, the rover will undergo the material adhesion determination experiment, using various materials on its wheels to evaluate their durability against lunar dust. The findings can inform the design of future technologies such as spacesuits, habitats, and other critical infrastructure. Equipped with multiple cameras and scientific probes, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon's plasma environment, geology, and thermal conditions. It will also investigate the properties of lunar soil, surface structure temperatures, and the lunar photoelectron sheath, which will provide valuable insights to support future in-situ resource utilisation and advance further exploration of deep space. The rover will further carry a radio transmitter to communicate with other payloads during the mission. The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a pivotal part of the of the broader space exploration strategy under the UAE's National Space Programme, that prioritises the advancement of scientific knowledge, the empowerment of future generations, and the strengthening of international cooperation. Also read: OpenAI To Build World's Largest AI Data Centre In Abu Dhabi, UAE
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
UAE partners with US firm for second moon rover mission in 2026
The artist's image show Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander and the Rashid 2 Rover on the lunar surface. PHOTO: FIREFLY Listen to article The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its second mission to the Moon's surface, set for 2026, marking another bold step in the country's expanding space ambitions. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), revealed on Thursday that the UAE had signed a strategic agreement with US-based Firefly Aerospace. The deal will see the Rashid 2 Rover delivered to the Moon's far side on Firefly's Blue Ghost lander, stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. 'I witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace to provide payload delivery services for the Rashid 2 Rover,' Sheikh Hamdan posted on X. 'This mission will make the UAE only the second country in history to attempt a landing on the Moon's far side, placing the nation at the forefront of space exploration.' The Rashid 2 Rover mission follows the UAE's first lunar attempt, Rashid Rover 1, which crash-landed in 2022 after a Japanese lander failed to achieve a soft landing. Unlike its predecessor, Rashid 2 will focus on scientific exploration in a challenging environment where communication and terrain pose greater obstacles. The rover will carry multiple cameras and scientific instruments to study the Moon's plasma environment, geology, thermal conditions, and soil properties. It will test material adhesion on its wheels to evaluate durability against lunar dust—a key challenge for future lunar technology such as spacesuits and habitats. The mission is part of Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2, which will also carry payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, described the mission as 'a significant advancement in the UAE's role in shaping the future of lunar exploration.' He added that the project would deliver valuable scientific data, supporting the development of future lunar infrastructure and contributing to humanity's presence in space. The UAE's space ambitions are supported by the country's leadership, including President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the importance of the UAE's youth in driving the nation's progress both on Earth and beyond. 'Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe,' he said. 'The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions.' The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a key part of the UAE's National Space Programme, which prioritises scientific advancement, youth empowerment, and international cooperation to establish the country as a major player in global space exploration. The Rashid 2 mission, scheduled for 2026, will help position the UAE at the forefront of lunar exploration, focusing on the Moon's less-explored far side and fostering international scientific collaboration.
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses signing of strategic agreement between MBRSC, Firefly Aerospace for Emirates Lunar Mission
22 May 2025 16:43 DUBAI (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and President of MBRSC, witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Firefly Aerospace, under which the latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the the signing was held at Emirates the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2, in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace's second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA.H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, "The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon places our nation among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration. Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space, but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe. The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions.''We are committed to shaping a sustainable space industry ecosystem that fosters innovation, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and supports the continued growth of the UAE's scientific and technological leadership. Through missions like these, the UAE is set to further strengthen its position in the global space sector as a major player in expanding the horizons of discovery,' His Highness President, MBRSC, Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, said, 'We are grateful to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his steadfast support of MBRSC's endeavours, which continues to be instrumental in driving our progress. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the UAE's leadership, whose vision and unwavering commitment to innovation have enabled the nation to play an increasingly strategic role in global space exploration.'He added, 'As the UAE prepares to go to the moon and explore its far side through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, we continue to demonstrate our capacity to transform vision into reality. It further strengthens the UAE's standing as a committed partner in global space exploration and underscores our contribution to shaping the future of scientific discovery beyond Earth.'Chairman of MBRSC, Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, said, 'The signing of this strategic agreement reflects our nation's commitment to investing in long-term scientific advancement, building advanced national capabilities, and forging impactful global partnerships. The Emirates Lunar Mission embodies this forward-looking vision, which is driven by a desire to contribute to humanity's collective understanding of the Moon, and to support the development of future lunar infrastructure and deep space initiatives. As we pursue ever more ambitious endeavours with the support of our leadership, we remain focused on positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global scientific community and a source of innovation for future generations.'CEO of Firefly Aerospace, Jason Kim, said, 'On the heels of Firefly's flawless moon landing and operations, our team is looking forward to collaborating with the UAE and further expanding our representation of Artemis Accords nations on this groundbreaking mission to the far side of the Moon. We're honoured to support the international space community with our versatile Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft that can stack together to provide unique access to both lunar orbit and the lunar surface.'Director General of MBRSC, Salem Humaid AlMarri, said, 'The strategic agreement signed with Firefly Aerospace marks a significant advancement in the UAE's growing role in shaping the future of lunar exploration. Through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, the UAE will become one of the few nations to explore the far side of the Moon. The mission will deliver valuable scientific data on the lunar surface, plasma environment, and dust behaviour—contributing to global knowledge and supporting future lunar infrastructure development. As we prepare for this historic milestone, we remain dedicated to expanding the UAE's contributions to humanity's long-term presence in space.'MBRSC has outlined a set of ambitious scientific goals for the Rashid 2 Rover, which will demonstrate lunar surface mobility on the far side of the moon, where terrain and communication pose greater challenges than the near side. As part of the mission, the rover will undergo the material adhesion determination experiment, using various materials on its wheels to evaluate their durability against lunar dust. The findings can inform the design of future technologies such as spacesuits, habitats, and other critical with multiple cameras and scientific probes, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon's plasma environment, geology, and thermal conditions. It will also investigate the properties of lunar soil, surface structure temperatures, and the lunar photoelectron sheath, which will provide valuable insights to support future in-situ resource utilisation and advance further exploration of deep space. The rover will further carry a radio transmitter to communicate with other payloads during the mission. The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a pivotal part of the broader space exploration strategy under the UAE's National Space Programme, which prioritises the advancement of scientific knowledge, the empowerment of future generations, and the strengthening of international cooperation.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Firefly Aerospace selects Blue Origin unit to explore volcanic formations on moon
(Reuters) - Firefly Aerospace has partnered with Blue Origin's Honeybee Robotics to supply a rover for its third lunar mission in 2028 to study the Gruithuisen Domes, the Texas-based rocket maker said on Monday. The agreement with Honeybee Robotics — a unit of Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin — underscores a trend of leveraging established space technology to advance human understanding and exploration of the lunar surface in an increasingly competitive market. The Gruithuisen Domes, located on the moon's near side, are unusual volcanic formations believed to be rich in silica — a composition rare on the lunar surface — and studying them could unlock clues about the moon's geological history and potential resources for future human missions. Firefly's first lunar lander mission, Blue Ghost Mission 1, successfully landed on the moon earlier this month, delivering 10 NASA instruments and operating for two weeks — longer than any prior commercial lunar mission — before concluding on March 16. The upcoming mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, will use Firefly's Blue Ghost lander and Elytra Dark orbital vehicle, alongside the Honeybee Robotics rover, to explore the domes, building on the success of its debut effort, Firefly said.
