Dubai has taken a bold step toward deep space exploration with the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace.
Under the deal, Firefly will provide the lunar lander that will deploy the UAE’s Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon as part of the Emirates Lunar Mission in 2026.
The agreement was signed at Emirates Towers in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of MBRSC, who called the mission a testament to the UAE’s commitment to global scientific advancement.
“Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity’s understanding of the universe,”
he said.
Rashid 2 will fly aboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 2, mounted on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The mission will also carry payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency, and Australia, placing the UAE among a select group of nations exploring the Moon’s far side.
Equipped with scientific probes and high-resolution cameras, the rover will study lunar soil, geology, and plasma conditions, and test the durability of materials against lunar dust—critical data for future missions. It will also carry a radio transmitter to support inter-payload communication.
MBRSC leaders highlighted the mission’s role in reinforcing the UAE’s long-term space ambitions.
“This is a leap forward for our scientific goals and global partnerships,”
said Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC. The mission marks a significant stride in the UAE’s growing influence in the international space community.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
