Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announces the completion of development of the Rashid 2 explorer in the Emirates and the start of preparations for its launch in 2026.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announced the successful completion of the development of the “Rashid 2” explorer, which was developed within the Emirates Moon Exploration Project, after a comprehensive series of environmental and functional tests in the UAE.

The explorer was sent to the United States to begin the next stage of preparations in cooperation with Firefly Aerospace, in preparation for its launch towards the far side of the moon’s surface in 2026.

Earlier this year, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the center and the “Firefly Aerospace” company, which is responsible for providing the lunar landing vehicle that will be used to land the “Rashid 2” explorer on the far side of the moon’s surface.

The “Rashid 2” explorer underwent vibration tests, simulating the harsh mechanical conditions it will be exposed to during the launch and landing phases. The explorer was also exposed to vibrations that simulate the pressures resulting from take-off on board the rocket, the deceleration stages in the lunar environment, and the shocks accompanying the separation and landing processes on its surface. These tests are the final steps in the current phase of verification of the explorer’s readiness for the harsh lunar environment, and the successful completion of its development.

On this occasion, Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said: “The completion of the development of the Rashid 2 explorer in the UAE represents a milestone in the level of progress the country has reached in space science and technology. This achievement reflects the potential of our national talents and the UAE’s ambitious vision to lead space exploration with a global impact. As the mission advances towards its historic goal of exploring the far side of the moon, we affirm our commitment to strengthening international cooperation, driving innovation, and contributing to the advancement of the human sciences. Every step we achieve brings us closer More towards building a sustainable, knowledge-based space future for future generations.”

For his part, Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, said: “The completion of the development of the Rashid 2 explorer represents a pivotal step in the UAE’s journey towards achieving its ambitions to explore the moon. As we prepare for a mission targeting the far side of the moon’s surface, we are entering a field that only a few developed countries have reached, driven by the support and confidence of our wise leadership in the youth of the Emirates, and its directives aimed at developing space science through international cooperation and knowledge exchange, and employing innovation and advanced technologies to serve the journey.” Human progress.”

Dr. Hamad Al Marzouqi, Director of the Emirates Lunar Exploration Project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said: “The successful completion of the Rashid 2 explorer’s latest tests is an essential milestone in ensuring its readiness to face the challenges that await it during its next mission, and its departure towards the next stage of preparations. As this stage approaches, our team continues to work to carefully verify the performance of all subsystems and ensure their optimal efficiency, to achieve the ambitious scientific goals of the mission on the far side of the moon.”

It should be noted that the Emirates Moon Exploration Project is funded by the Communications and Information Technology Sector Development Fund of the Communications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRAAs part of its support for research and development in the communications and information technology sector in the UAE.