The UAE and the US have signed a deal to send the world's first Emirati and Arab astronaut on a mission to orbit the Moon and build a lunar space station. NASA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) are working together for this project. The space centre will provide an airlock for Gateway, which is the first space station orbiting the Moon. This lunar space station will help NASA in long-term exploration missions on the Moon as part of the Artemis program, which is aimed at benefiting everyone.
“The United States and the United Arab Emirates are marking a historic moment in our nations’ collaboration in space, and the future of human space exploration,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
Under this agreement, MBRSC will supply Gateway’s Crew and Science Airlock module, a crucial element in the project's architecture. This module serves as an access point for astronauts, facilitating transfers between Gateway’s pressurised crew modules and the vacuum of space. This capability is pivotal for conducting scientific research and maintenance activities in the challenging lunar environment.
Moreover, MBRSC will contribute to the project by sending a UAE astronaut on a future Artemis mission to the lunar space station. This move not only underscores the UAE's commitment to advancing space exploration but also marks a significant milestone as the first Emirati and Arab astronaut heading to the Moon’s orbit.
The collaboration goes beyond hardware contributions, as MBRSC will offer engineering support throughout the lunar space station's operational life. It signifies a sustained commitment to the success and longevity of Gateway, supporting NASA's objectives for long-term lunar exploration.
The Gateway project is a cornerstone in NASA's Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence, including surface missions and spacewalks. By participating in Gateway, the UAE contributes to the international effort to explore deep space and opens new horizons for scientific research and human exploration.
This collaboration builds on the foundation laid by previous joint initiatives between NASA and the UAE in human spaceflight.
In 2019, Hazzaa Almansoori became the first Emirati astronaut to fly to space, conducting experiments and educational outreach on the International Space Station (ISS). Sultan Al Neyadi, another Emirati astronaut, continued this collaboration in 2023 on NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission, contributing to scientific research aboard the ISS.
Additionally, NASA and the UAE have collaborated on Mars research, human research, and analog studies, fostering mutual exploration priorities and strengthening ties in space exploration and scientific discovery.