United Arab Emirates: UAE has collaborated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in order to develop the first space station orbiting the Moon. The collaboration is part of the Lunar Gateway Station project.
The lunar space station will support long-term exploration of the Moon under NASA’s Artemis project which focuses on returning humans to the lunar surface. It also aims to establish sustainable long-term missions.
The international project will see a collaboration between the UAE, the US, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. The project will also include the mission to send the first Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit.
During the announcement, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that, “The UAE’s participation in this international project reflects our commitment to promoting partnerships with the world that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and progress for humanity.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared details about the mission, stating that a significant mission awaits UAE in this project that represents a groundbreaking initiative for humanity’s return to the Moon. The initiative aims to land on its surface and establish it as a base for future missions toward Mars.
UAE President further added that the Emirati team is capable of accomplishing this mission in partnership with other international teams. The country will support them by providing all the necessary resources.
The UAE will be responsible for developing the lunar space station’s Crew and Science Airlock. It is the component responsible for maintaining a safe environment for astronauts. This unit will work as a portal of the station. The airlock will serve as the point of entry and exit for the missions and astronauts traveling to the Moon’s surface from the station.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will function as the control centre to manage the operations in the station from UAE.
The station will also function as a space laboratory. The lab will enable a range of scientific and technical experiments. It will have a minimum lifespan of 15 years, The life span can also be extended.
The first elements of Gateway are expected to be launched by 2025, while the Emirates Airlock is scheduled to be launched by 2030.
This latest cooperation on Gateway succeeds previous human spaceflight collaboration involving NASA’ and UAE. Mr. Hazzaa Al Mansoori became the first Emirati to fly to space. Mr. Al Mansoori got the opportunity during a short mission to the International Space Station. The experience aided him in collaborating with NASA to perform experiments and educational outreach.
A second Emirati astronaut, Mr. Sultan Al Neyadi, was launched to the space station in 2023 on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission. Mr. Al Neyadi took part in the floating laboratory’s scientific research. An initiative that advances human knowledge and improves life on Earth.
Currently, two additional astronaut candidates from UAE are undergoing training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA has also collaborated with the UAE on Mars research. The collective also aims to conduct human research and analog studies to support mutual priorities on exploration.
The United States and UAE originally signed the Artemis Accords in 2020. The accords share a practical set of principles to guide cooperation in space exploration among nations part of NASA’s 21st-century lunar exploration program.