The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has completed the development of the Emirates Lunar Mission’s Rashid Rover 2, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s expanding space ambitions.
After a rigorous series of environmental and functional tests in the UAE, the rover has been sent to the United States to begin final preparations with Firefly Aerospace for its launch to the far side of the Moon in 2026.
Earlier this year, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of MBRSC, witnessed the signing of an agreement between MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace. Under this partnership, Firefly will provide the lunar lander that will carry Rashid Rover 2 to its destination on the Moon’s far side, a region rarely explored in previous missions.
The rover underwent extensive testing, including Thermal Vacuum testing at the French space agency CNES in Toulouse, followed by solar panel, antenna, robotic arm, and vibration tests conducted across multiple UAE facilities. These trials simulated the extreme mechanical stresses of launch, landing, and lunar surface conditions to ensure the rover’s resilience and performance.
His Excellency Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, described the achievement as a reflection of the UAE’s advancing space capabilities and commitment to international collaboration. Director General Salem Humaid AlMarri said the mission represents a decisive step toward deep-space exploration and scientific discovery.
The Emirates Lunar Mission, funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leader in space innovation and inspire future generations in science and technology.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
