The fingerprints of the Emirates in space will not be less than its achievements on Earth

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and head of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, stressed that the UAE’s mission to explore the distant side of the moon will contribute to the consolidation of the state’s position within a group of countries that pay the limits of lunar exploration to new horizons.

This came during the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in the Emirates Towers in Dubai, signing a strategic agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the American company “Fireflai Airbis”, so that the authority responsible for transferring the explorer “Rashid 2” to the surface of the moon within the Emirates Exploration of the Moon.

His Highness said: «Our goal is not limited to reaching new destinations in space, but rather exceeds it to produce qualitative knowledge that contributes to enhancing the human understanding of the universe. The agreement with Firefly Airbis is embodied in our strategic approach to building strong international partnerships that are in line with our long -term scientific and technological ambitions in the field of space.

His Highness added: “We are committed to building a sustainable space system that supports innovation, enhances the exchange of knowledge at the international level, and is established a scientific legacy that will benefit future generations. Through such tasks, the UAE continues to strengthen its pioneering position in the global space sector, and to contribute to building future capabilities to explore space around the world.

His Highness stressed that with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and the follow -up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God bless him, and with aspirations embracing the space, the UAE continues to establish its pioneering position in the global space sector.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a post on his official account on the X platform, yesterday: “Within the Emirates Exploration of the Moon, the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the American (Fireflai Airbis) company, with the aim of launching the explorer (Rashid 2) to the moon’s surface in 2026 to be the second mission in history that seeks to land on the distant side of the moon.”

His Highness added: “With unlimited support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the follow -up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and with ambitions that embrace space, the UAE continues to establish its pioneering position in the global space sector .. We have fully confident that we are with the minds of our youth and their will that do not know the impossible, are able to touch the stars, and that the fingerprints of the Emirates in space will not reduce the brightness of its achievements the earth”.

According to the partnership, the explorer “Rashid 2” will be launched to the distant side of the moon, on the lunar landing vehicle “Blue Ghost”, which is affiliated with the company “Firefly Airbace”, which is installed on the tropical vehicle “Eleera Dark”, to be the second mission in history that seeks to land on this side of the moon. “Rashid 2” will join the mission of “Blue Ghoste Machine 2” in 2026, which includes loads from the European Space Agency, NASA and Australia.

The Vice President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, Lieutenant General Talal Hamid Balhll, said that this step embodies the great support from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the center’s projects.

He added: «At a time when the UAE is preparing to launch a task to the surface of the moon and explore its far side through the explorer (Rashid 2), within the UAE project to explore the moon, we reaffirm our ability to convert ambitious visions into realistic achievements. This progress is established the position of the UAE as an active partner in the march of space exploration, and reflects its growing role in drawing the features of the future of scientific discovery.

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, Hamad Obaid Al -Mansouri, said: “This agreement reflects the UAE’s commitment to investing in long -term knowledge and scientific research, building qualified national capabilities, and expanding the framework of influential global partnerships. The UAE project to explore the moon is part of our vision that aims to support human understanding of the nature of the moon, and to enhance scientific capabilities to explore it. With the support of our wise leadership, we continue to launch more ambitious space tasks, establishing the UAE’s position globally, and opens new horizons for future generations.

“We look forward to strengthening cooperation with the UAE, after the successful decline in the (Firefly) vehicle on the moon, and carrying out its operations with high efficiency,” said Jason Kim. The company is intended to expand the participation of the signed countries on Artemis Conventions within this ambitious task to the distant side of the moon. (Firefly) is proud to support the international space community through the (Blue Ghost) and (Etera) vehicles, which are characterized by the possibility of working together, providing a unique ability to reach the orbit of the moon and its surface at the same time, and opens new horizons for advanced exploratory tasks, which promote international cooperation in the space sector.

The Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, Salem Hamid Al -Marri, explained that the partnership with Firefly Airbis is a successful step in the center’s march, saying: “Through the explorer (Rashid 2), the UAE joins the list of the few countries that are in the exploration of the distant side of the moon, allowing us to collect specific scientific data, which contributes to the development of future technologies related to the lunar infrastructure. The task will provide accurate information about the surface of the moon and the plasma and dust environment, which enhances our efforts in supporting global space projects. ”

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Ambitious scientific goals

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center has set a set of ambitious scientific goals for the explorer “Rashid 2”, which will show its capabilities to move in the difficult moon environment, specifically on the distant side of it, which is characterized by rugged terrain, and greater challenges in communication compared to the near side, and within the framework of the task, the explorer will conduct an experience to measure your adoption of the materials, where a variety of installed materials will be tested on its wheels to evaluate the extent Its duration and resistance to lunar dust.

“Rashid 2” holds a group of advanced scientific cameras and sensors to study the surface of the moon, its thermal properties, the plasma environment, dust, geology, and material efficiency to protect from moon soil, and will collect data to help develop new technologies, enhance the opportunities to expand space exploration, and the load will also include a wireless transmission device that allows communication with the rest of the mission components.

This task comes within the UAE project to explore the moon, which is an essential pillar within the framework of the national space strategy, aimed at consolidating the state’s position in the areas of scientific research, qualifying leading national cadres, and strengthening international partnerships in the space sector.

Hamdan bin Mohammed:

. We have fully confident that we are with the minds of our youth and their will that do not know the impossible, are able to touch the stars.

. The UAE continues to strengthen its leading position in the global space sector, and contribute to building future capabilities to explore space around the world.

. They are committed to building a sustainable spacecraft that supports innovation, enhances the exchange of knowledge at the international level, and establishes a scientific heritage that benefits future generations.