Latest news with #MohammedBinRashidSpaceCentre
Dubai Eye
23-05-2025
- Science
- Dubai Eye
UAE confirms launch partner for far side moon mission
The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon has taken a major step forward. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has witnessed the signing of a key agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace. Under the deal, Firefly will provide the lunar lander for the Emirates Lunar Mission, which will carry the UAE's Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon in 2026. The rover will be part of Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 2, alongside payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency and Australia. Sheikh Hamdan said the mission reinforces the UAE's commitment to advancing lunar science and contributing valuable knowledge to global space research. Rashid 2 will study the Moon's terrain, plasma environment and thermal conditions, and will test material resilience against lunar dust - data crucial for future exploration technologies. The mission supports the UAE's broader National Space Programme, aimed at driving innovation, empowering youth, and strengthening international partnerships in the space sector. — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 22, 2025
Hi Dubai
23-05-2025
- Science
- Hi Dubai
UAE Secures Firefly Aerospace Deal to Land Rashid 2 Rover on Far Side of the Moon
Dubai has taken a bold step toward deep space exploration with the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace. Under the deal, Firefly will provide the lunar lander that will deploy the UAE's Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon as part of the Emirates Lunar Mission in 2026. The agreement was signed at Emirates Towers in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of MBRSC, who called the mission a testament to the UAE's commitment to global scientific advancement. '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. Rashid 2 will fly aboard Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 2, mounted on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The mission will also carry payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency, and Australia, placing the UAE among a select group of nations exploring the Moon's far side. Equipped with scientific probes and high-resolution cameras, the rover will study lunar soil, geology, and plasma conditions, and test the durability of materials against lunar dust—critical data for future missions. It will also carry a radio transmitter to support inter-payload communication. MBRSC leaders highlighted the mission's role in reinforcing the UAE's long-term space ambitions. 'This is a leap forward for our scientific goals and global partnerships,' said Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC. The mission marks a significant stride in the UAE's growing influence in the international space community. News Source: Emirates News Agency
TAG 91.1
22-05-2025
- Science
- TAG 91.1
UAE confirms launch partner for far side moon mission
The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon has taken a major step forward. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has witnessed the signing of a key agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace. Under the deal, Firefly will provide the lunar lander for the Emirates Lunar Mission, which will carry the UAE's Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon in 2026. The rover will be part of Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 2, alongside payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency and Australia. Sheikh Hamdan said the mission reinforces the UAE's commitment to advancing lunar science and contributing valuable knowledge to global space research. Rashid 2 will study the Moon's terrain, plasma environment and thermal conditions, and will test material resilience against lunar dust - data crucial for future exploration technologies. The mission supports the UAE's broader National Space Programme, aimed at driving innovation, empowering youth, and strengthening international partnerships in the space sector. — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 22, 2025
Emirates 24/7
18-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai to participate in GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything with 12 government, private entities
Digital Dubai has announced Dubai's participation in GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything 2025, which is taking place at Messe Berlin from May 21 to 23 with high-level attendance from across Europe and the world. As the organiser of the Dubai Pavilion, Digital Dubai aims to spotlight the city's digital achievements to affirm its global leadership in this field and foster meaningful interaction and knowledge exchange involving global innovators attending the event. The Dubai Pavilion will feature 12 key government and private entities including Digital Dubai, Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Civil Defence, DIFC Courts, the Dubai Electronic Security Center, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Customs, the Dubai Future Foundation and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, alongside e& and Emaratech as Platinum Partners. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said, 'Global engagement has always been a cornerstone of Dubai's digital transformation journey, as reflected in our active participation in international platforms and events like GITEX EUROPE. Our leadership has consistently affirmed that Dubai's experience is a model to be shared with the world, and we are pleased to present our achievements at GITEX EUROPE – offering insights that others can benefit from and build upon globally. 'GITEX EUROPE is a valuable opportunity to explore leading global practices in digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and data utilisation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Dubai brings a wealth of experience to this space, and we look forward to showcasing it through a diverse portfolio of products and initiatives at the Dubai Pavilion.' He added, 'We attach exceptional importance to global partnerships, as they are a vital part of our strategy to ease the lives of people and businesses, and to realise our vision of digitalising life in Dubai. GITEX EUROPE presents a valuable opportunity to connect with potential partners in relevant fields. We are confident that the entities participating under the Dubai Pavilion will offer a vivid showcase of the city's progress in adopting and leveraging digital technologies – especially artificial intelligence – to serve society.' One of the key offerings featured by Digital Dubai at the pavilion is Dubai Dashboard, a unified city-wide dashboard offering decision-makers a 360-degree real-time view of data and indicators across various city sectors based on data analytics and powered by artificial intelligence. It also provides trend forecasts based on machine learning to showcase how specific sectors could be affected by local and global developments. Digital Dubai will also showcase Dubai Monitor, which is an advanced platform using artificial intelligence to continuously collect and analyse data. It detects and predicts anomalies with high accuracy and correlates changes with local and global events and news, featuring a dynamic dashboard that updates in real time. DubaiFAL offers an interactive dashboard that enables deeper understanding of public perceptions of Dubai and its services. It collects feedback and analyses social sentiments using a multidimensional approach. Another key service is Smart Employee, which is an AI-powered app that includes all HR and financial systems. It integrates with over 62 key services and provides access to more than 200 services for over 76,000 employees across 76 government entities. The app streamlines HR processes such as leave requests, approvals, and internal communication, saving up to 95% of time spent on administrative tasks. It also enables managers to monitor and assess team performance and delegate tasks efficiently. Also showcased at the Dubai Pavilion is DubaiNow, an application for all the city services in Dubai. It enables users to digitally access over 320 city services from over 50 government and private entities. Another featured service is UAE PASS; the secure national digital identity for citizens, residents, and visitors in the UAE. It enables easy identity verification using facial recognition, provides unified access to a range of digital services, allows document signing and verification, and facilitates secure digital document sharing. The number of entities that provide their services through the digital identity app stands at 358, including 60 federal entities, 173 local government entities, and 125 private entities, who collectively offer more than 15,000 services. GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything 2025 was launched during GITEX GLOBAL 2023 in Dubai, the world's largest tech event brand. The show is seamlessly integrated with the GITEX network of tech and startup events held in 7 countries across 4 regions worldwide – Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, and Vietnam. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Al Etihad
14-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE-US space partnership continues to grow as Trump visit signals fresh momentum
14 May 2025 23:58 ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)The longstanding partnership between the UAE and the US in space exploration is entering a new chapter, driven by a wave of joint projects and a commitment to close cooperation. With US President Donald Trump visiting Abu Dhabi on Thursday, attention once again turns to the two nations' shared goal of expanding human presence beyond the UAE and the US view space collaboration as a strategic pillar of their bilateral relationship. And, what began with a 2016 agreement on aeronautics research and the peaceful use of outer space has today grown into a broad alliance encompassing lunar missions, advanced satellites, and research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Gateway to the Moon and Beyond At the heart of this collaboration is the Emirates Airlock, a major contribution by the UAE to NASA's Gateway - the first space station set to orbit the Moon. Developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the airlock will enable astronauts and scientific equipment to move between the station and the lunar surface and pave the way for future crewed journeys to Mars. Under this partnership, a UAE astronaut will also join a future Artemis mission. "At MBRSC, our foundational belief is that collaboration drives progress", said Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. "Our enduring partnership with NASA stands as a testament to this belief, and reflects our mutual commitment to scientific excellence, technological innovation and the advancement of humanity's understanding of space and beyond."While lunar exploration remains a flagship effort, UAE-US cooperation is also advancing scientific frontiers aboard the ISS. American space infrastructure developer Axiom Space and UAE-based Burjeel Holdings have recently teamed up to study the effects of microgravity on human physiology. Beginning this spring, ISS-based astronauts will use Burjeel's advanced medical technologies to gather data that could inform healthcare innovations both in space and on the same time, the partnership is positioning the UAE as a regional hub for satellite technology. In January, BZ-SAT - the region's most advanced satellite - was successfully launched from California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 later this year, Orbitworks, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi's Marlan Space and San Francisco's Loft Orbital, will begin testing its first satellite platform in the UAE, with plans to produce up to fifty 500-kilogramme satellites annually. Collaboration as a Key Driver These developments build on a history of collaboration that has delivered tangible scientific, diplomatic and technological achievements. Both nations were among the founding signatories of the Artemis Accords in 2020, which set out principles for safe, transparent, and sustainable exploration of outer space. This diplomatic framework has become a key pillar of global space governance, with more than 30 countries now on board. The UAE's historic Hope Mars Mission, which entered Mars' orbit in 2021, also took shape through close partnerships with leading US institutions such as the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Their contributions ranged from designing the spacecraft to developing its scientific instruments, laying the groundwork for long-term research ties that continue to bring value to both Emirati and American about the UAE-US partnership in human space flight, Karen Feldstein, NASA's Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations, said it demonstrates "how much can be achieved when nations work together toward common goals." Her remarks came during the 2023 "A Call from Space" event, co-hosted by the UAE Embassy, NASA, and the MBRSC, which brought together astronauts from both countries. Future Ambitions Looking ahead, the UAE is preparing for its next major venture - a mission to the asteroid belt, scheduled for launch in 2028. The mission plans to conduct high-speed flybys of six asteroids before deploying a small lander on the seventh. Extending the cooperative model that has proven successful in past ventures, the bold endeavour will once again involve US partners, including the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego. Against this backdrop, the Trump administration has put forward an $18.8 billion NASA budget for 2026, which largely focuses on Moon and Mars exploration - a goal that aligns with the UAE's own ambitions. With space collaboration a recurring focus in high-level US-UAE meetings, expectations are high that President Trump's visit to Abu Dhabi will give fresh momentum to this partnership and lead to new growth avenues.
