In July 2020, the UAE captured global attention with the successful launch and arrival of the Hope Probe, making it the first mission to Mars undertaken by any Arab country. This ambitious project was a bold statement of the UAE’s long-term vision to position itself as a leader in space science and exploration. Designed to orbit Mars and study its atmosphere, weather, and climate dynamics, the Hope Probe opened a new chapter for the Arab world in interplanetary research.
Building on the momentum of that milestone, the UAE is now gearing up for an equally ambitious mission: sending the Rashid 2 rover to explore the Moon’s far side—one of the most mysterious and least accessible areas—in 2026.
Thanks to a strategic partnership with US-based Firefly Aerospace, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre(MBRSC) will deploy Rashid 2 aboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. This mission places the UAE among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of MBRSC, stated: “Our goal is to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity’s understanding of the universe.” Supported by visionary leadership, the UAE is rapidly cementing its role as a major player in the global space sector.
Equipped with cameras and scientific instruments, Rashid 2 will investigate the Moon’s plasma environment, geology, thermal conditions, and soil properties, while testing materials’ resistance to the abrasive lunar dust, collecting essential data to inform the design of future spacesuits, habitats, and exploration technologies.
From the historic Hope Probe orbiting Mars to this next giant leap on the Moon’s far side, the UAE’s space program is a story of vision, innovation, and global partnership.
ALSO READ: THE SCOOP: JIMMY CHOO’S ARCHIVAL COLLECTION, LOUIS VIUITTON’S NEW TAKASHI MURAKAMI DROP, AND MORE.
