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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), announced on Thursday the launch of the UAE's second lunar mission, 'Rashid Rover 2,' set for 2026. This mission is part of the UAE's space program and will be carried out in partnership with the American company Firefly Aerospace. The goal of the mission is to land on the far side of the Moon, an area where, until now, only one other country in the world has succeeded in conducting a mission.
Sheikh Hamdan wrote in a post on the social network X:
“Today, I witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the American company Firefly Aerospace. With this mission, the UAE becomes the second country in history to attempt to land on the far side of the Moon, solidifying the country’s position at the forefront of global space exploration.”
Learning from the past, stepping toward the future
The 'Rashid Rover 2' project follows the UAE's first lunar mission. The first mission, 'Rashid 1,' which was the Arab world's first attempt at a lunar landing, failed in 2023 due to a malfunction with its Japanese lander, resulting in the rover crashing during its attempt at a soft landing.
Following this experience, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre announced that the landing site would be changed for the second mission to increase scientific gains and the chances of success. In the previous mission, the Atlas crater in the far north of the Moon was chosen as the landing site.
Advanced scientific and technological goals
In the new mission, the Rashid 2 rover will be sent to the far side of the Moon using Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander and Elytra Dark orbiter. The mission will include a set of scientific experiments, such as testing how dust sticks to different materials, analyzing surface temperature, studying soil structure, and investigating plasma behavior. These data will help develop technologies such as spacesuits, human habitats, and future lunar infrastructure.
The rover will also be equipped with a set of cameras, scientific sensors, and radio transmitters to enable communication with other mission payloads and the transmission of scientific data. This information will support the development of local resources and the expansion of deep space exploration.
Looking Beyond the Moon: From Burj Khalifa to Lunar Towers?
While Dubai has established itself as a global leader in construction through projects like the Burj Khalifa and massive development ventures such as artificial islands, the city's development vision now extends beyond Earth. The Rashid 2 mission is not only a scientific step but also potentially the beginning of a new approach to infrastructure development beyond our planet.
Experts believe that the data and experience gained from this mission could pave the way for a new era of human activity on the Moon—from building research bases and temporary settlements to eventually investing in real estate projects on the lunar surface.
Given Dubai’s track record of realizing bold projects, the prospect of phrases like 'Apartment for Sale with Earth View from the Moon' becoming reality in the not-so-distant future is not far-fetched.
Emphasizing the UAE's global scientific status
Officials at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre also expressed gratitude for the country's leadership and stated that this mission is part of the UAE's national space program and symbolizes the nation's commitment to the sustainable development of knowledge, technology, and international scientific cooperation.
Dr. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, President of MBRSC, said:
“With long-term investments in scientific projects and effective global partnerships, the UAE plays an influential role in the future of space exploration. The Rashid 3 mission is part of our vision for active participation in developing space technologies and shaping humanity’s future beyond Earth.”
