The UAE’s bold mission to explore the far side of the Moon has reached a key milestone, with the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and US-based private aerospace firm, Firefly Aerospace.
Witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the deal will see Firefly provide the lunar lander that will carry the UAE’s Rashid 2 Rover into space in 2026 as part of the the Emirates Lunar Mission.
The Rashid 2 Rover's launch is also a part of Firefly’s 'Blue Ghost Mission 2', which also includes payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency, and Australia, placing the UAE alongside major global space players. The mission will make the UAE one of only two nations to explore the Moon’s far side, a region that remains largely uncharted.
For the UAE, this mission represents more than just space exploration, it’s a statement of national ambition. Rashid 2 Rover is expected to deliver valuable scientific data on lunar terrain, the plasma environment, thermal variations, and the effects of lunar dust on different materials. These insights could shape the future of space technology and pave the way for long-term human presence on the Moon.
In an official social media post, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan reflected on the landmark deal and said, "Driven by the talent of our youth, the UAE’s journey in space reflects the same ambition and excellence that define our progress on Earth".