Dubai: Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced a new lunar mission named Rashid 2, to be carried out by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). This mission, which was revealed by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, aims to explore and study the lunar surface in greater depth, highlighting the country’s ambitious plans for space exploration and research.
Accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Mohammed visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and personally met with the team responsible for the UAE’s first-ever rover landing attempt on the moon’s surface. The Ruler of Dubai emphasized the significance of determination in achieving success in the space industry, while reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to launching more space exploration missions in the future. This visit highlights the country’s dedication to advancing its space program and pursuing further breakthroughs in space exploration.
Despite the unsuccessful attempt to land the Rashid Rover on the moon, Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged that the UAE had maintained its high aspirations in the field of space exploration. The Ruler of Dubai’s comments reflect the country’s determination to pursue its ambitious goals, even in the face of setbacks and challenges.
The Emirates Lunar Mission has been a resounding success for the MBRSC as it has achieved its ambitious goal of constructing the world’s most compact rover and becoming the first Emirati and Arab rover to reach the moon’s orbit before the landing attempt aboard iSpace’s HAKUTO-R lander. These significant milestones mark a momentous achievement for the country’s inaugural lunar mission, underscoring the UAE’s unwavering dedication to advancing space exploration.
On December 11th at 11:38 UAE time, the Rashid Rover was launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force in Florida, integrated into iSpace’s HAKUTO-R lander. This marked the Emirates Lunar Mission as the UAE’s first-ever lunar mission and established the country as the first Arab nation to embark on a journey towards the moon’s surface. The successful launch was a significant milestone for the UAE’s burgeoning space program and demonstrated the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration.
With a unique design optimized for traversing and exploring the lunar surface, the Rashid Rover holds the distinction of being the world’s most compact rover. Standing at approximately 80 centimeters in height, 53.5 centimeters in length, and nearly 53.85 centimeters in width, the rover weighs in at around 10 kilograms. These specifications highlight the impressive engineering feats achieved by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in constructing a rover that is both compact and capable of effectively exploring the Moon’s terrain.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by several high-profile officials during his visit to the MBRSC including Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of MBRSC, Mr. Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC and Mr. Salem Al Marri, Director-General of MBRSC. The presence of these esteemed individuals highlights the significance of the visit and the UAE’s unwavering dedication to furthering its space program.