Latest news with #EmiratesLunarSimulant
ARN News Center
24-03-2025
- Science
- ARN News Center
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop simulated moon dust
A team of researchers at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Space Exploration Laboratory has developed a novel lunar soil simulant that closely replicates the properties of moon dust. Known as the Emirates Lunar Simulant, it will allow scientists to test instruments for the upcoming Emirates Lunar Mission and the UAE's future astronauts on the Moon. Because transporting large amounts of Moon soil to Earth is impractical, soil simulants are essential for preparing future lunar explorations. The researchers developed the Emirates Lunar Simulant from anorthosite-rich rocks found in the UAE. These rocks closely resemble the mineral and chemical composition of Moon samples, making them ideal for testing. The NYUAD team, which included researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamoorthi and undergraduate students from NYUAD, is using the simulant to assess instruments for key mission operations, including landings, surface exploration, construction, and resource extraction. The Space Exploration Laboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi, based within the Centre for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS), is dedicated to advancing planetary science and space exploration.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UAE researchers create 'moon dust' for lunar exploration training
Space agencies often use deserts as test beds for their lunar missions, but the UAE's abundant fine sands didn't quite cut it. Researchers at the New York University Abu Dhabi Space Exploration Laboratory have cooked up artificial 'moon dust' that mimics the lunar surface using local rocks rich in anorthosite. The so-called Emirates Lunar Simulant can be used to test how well vehicles and instruments might cope when they land on the Moon. It's a small, but crucial, step toward the UAE's ambition of landing an Emirati astronaut on the Moon within the next decade.
The National
21-03-2025
- Science
- The National
Scientists in Abu Dhabi develop 'moon dust' made of UAE rocks to boost lunar ambitions
A team of Abu Dhabi scientists has developed artificial moon dust, derived from the UAE's natural resources, to help lay the groundwork for the nation's quest to land Emirati astronauts on the lunar surface. Researchers at the New York University Abu Dhabi Space Exploration Laboratory said the substance – called Emirates Lunar Simulant – will allow scientists to test space instruments and equipment to ensure their readiness for the country's future missions to the Moon. The researchers, led by Dr Dimitra Atri, an astrophysicist at NYUAD, created the soil simulant from anorthosite-rich rocks found in the UAE. These rocks closely resemble the mineral and chemical composition of Moon samples, making them ideal for testing. The work will boost the UAE's growing space exploration aspirations. Last month, Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, set out the UAE's goal to put an Emirati astronaut on the Moon within 10 years. 'By leveraging local geological resources to advance planetary science, this project strengthens the UAE's role in space exploration and contributes to global efforts to prepare for future lunar missions,' said Dr Atri, principal investigator at the Space Exploration Laboratory. He is part of the scientific team behind several UAE-led missions, including the Hope probe orbiting Mars, the Moon exploration programme and the space flight to an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. 'The Emirates Lunar Simulant will be instrumental in testing rover performance, training astronauts and validating lunar equipment, helping optimise missions and reduce risk for future lunar exploration.' As transporting large amounts of Moon soil to Earth is impractical, such soil simulants are essential for preparing for lunar exploration. The Abu Dhabi team, which featured researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamoorthi and undergraduate students from NYUAD, is using the simulant to assess instruments for key mission operations, including landings, surface exploration, construction and resource extraction. The anorthosite-rich rocks were sourced from the Semail Ophiolite Complex, an ancient geological formation in the UAE that contains a well-preserved section of Earth's lithosphere, or outer crust. The researchers also explored the substance's potential for use in lunar agriculture and the growing of food on the Moon, to support long-term efforts to build a human presence in space. Bright minds at NYUAD are playing a leading role in the UAE's booming space sector. The National revealed this month how the university had established a new planetary simulation chamber that could transform how scientists in the Emirates conduct space research, allowing them to recreate extreme planetary environments. Researchers will be able to replicate the surface conditions of the Moon, Mars, asteroids and the Martian atmosphere by adjusting the gas composition, pressure and temperature inside the controlled chamber. The chamber also has an optical system capable of recreating solar conditions across different regions of the solar system. Researchers will be able to expose samples to intense ultraviolet radiation, mimicking the effects of prolonged space exposure. The Emirates has made major strides in the global space race in recent years. Hazza Al Mansouri made history in September 2019 as the first Emirati to venture into space then Sultan Al Neyadi was chosen in March 2023 to be the first Arab astronaut to carry out a long-duration journey in space. The UAE signed up with Nasa to contribute a key component of the US-led Gateway, a Moon-orbiting station, in exchange for sending an Emirati to the station. That agreement, however, only guarantees the country access to the station and a separate deal would have to be made for landing an Emirati on the lunar surface. SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing landing vehicles to carry humans to the surface from the Gateway station.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Science
- Zawya
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop new simulated moon dust for lunar exploration
ABU DHABI - A team of researchers at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Space Exploration Laboratory, led by Dimitra Atri, Ph.D., has developed a novel lunar soil simulant that closely replicates the properties of moon dust. Known as the Emirates Lunar Simulant, it will allow scientists to test instruments for the upcoming Emirates Lunar Mission and the UAE's future astronauts on the Moon. Because transporting large amounts of Moon soil to Earth is impractical, soil simulants are essential for preparing future lunar explorations. The researchers developed the Emirates Lunar Simulant from anorthosite-rich rocks found in the UAE. These rocks closely resemble the mineral and chemical composition of Moon samples, making them ideal for testing. The NYUAD team, which included researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamoorthi and undergraduate students from NYUAD, is using the simulant to assess instruments for key mission operations, including landings, surface exploration, construction, and resource extraction. "By leveraging local geological resources to advance planetary science, this project strengthens the UAE's role in space exploration and contributes to global efforts to prepare for future lunar missions," said Atri, Principal Investigator at NYU Abu Dhabi's Space Exploration Laboratory. "The Emirates Lunar Simulant will be instrumental in testing rover performance, training astronauts, and validating lunar equipment, helping optimise missions and reduce risk for future lunar exploration." The Space Exploration Laboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi, based within the Centre for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS), is dedicated to advancing planetary science and space exploration.
Khaleej Times
20-03-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Piece of Moon in UAE? Researchers create simulated lunar dust to support exploration
In a laboratory at a university in Abu Dhabi a team of researchers have been working on something groundbreaking – bringing a piece of the Moon to Earth. The Emirates Lunar Simulant, a specially crafted material that mimics the properties of real moon dust, was developed by New York University Abu Dhabi's Space Exploration Laboratory, led by Dr Dimitra Atri. It will allow scientists to test instruments for the upcoming Emirates Lunar Mission and the UAE's future astronauts on the Moon. Transporting large quantities of Moon soil to Earth is impractical, making soil simulants crucial for future lunar exploration. Researchers developed the Emirates Lunar Simulant using anorthosite-rich rocks from the UAE, which closely match the mineral and chemical composition of lunar samples. The NYUAD team, including researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamoorthi and undergraduate students, are utilising the simulant to test instruments for critical mission operations such as landings, surface exploration, construction, and resource extraction. 'By leveraging local geological resources to advance planetary science, this project strengthens the UAE's role in space exploration and contributes to global efforts to prepare for future lunar missions,' said Atri, principal investigator at NYU Abu Dhabi's Space Exploration Laboratory. 'The Emirates Lunar Simulant will be instrumental in testing rover performance, training astronauts, and validating lunar equipment, helping optimise missions, and reducing risk for future lunar exploration.' The anorthosite-rich rocks are important in understanding the Earth's geological history, as they are often considered to be ancient crustal material. These rocks were obtained from the Semail Ophiolite Complex (SOC), a geological formation in the UAE that preserves a section of Earth's lithosphere. Anorthosite, a rock found in both Earth's crust and on the Moon, was studied in the research paper 'Development of Lunar Simulants from Analog Sites in the United Arab Emirates.' The researchers detailed how they identified and processed anorthosite layers within the SOC to create a high-purity lunar dust simulant. In addition to testing instruments, the team explored the simulant's potential for lunar agriculture, successfully growing food in it. This experiment highlights its viability for future lunar farming, a crucial step toward sustaining long-term human presence in space. Emirates Lunar Mission Meanwhile, the UAE is making significant strides in the Artemis programme. As part of its expanding collaboration with NASA and international partners, the country will contribute an airlock module to the Lunar Gateway —a planned space station that will orbit the Moon. This airlock will function as a sealed chamber, allowing astronauts to safely exit and enter the station during spacewalks or when transferring equipment. In return for this contribution, the UAE has secured a seat for an Emirati astronaut who will be landing on the surface of the moon in the next ten years. This mission would mark a historic milestone, making the UAE one of the few nations to send an astronaut into lunar orbit.
