The UAE has launched the Emirates Lunar Mission with the introduction of a robotic lander named ‘Rashid’ on Tuesday.
In a tweet announcing the launch, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “We have launched the Emirates Lunar Mission, a 100% Emirati-made lunar rover that will land on the surface of the moon by 2024 in areas not yet reached by previous exploration missions. We named the rover “Rashid” in honour of the man who sparked Dubai’s advancement.”
The lunar rover will be sent to unexplored regions of the moon where it will capture lunar images and collect data.
For this purpose, the lander will include 3D cameras, an external suspension structure, sensing systems, solar panels and communications system.
“The UAE will be the fourth country in the world to carry out moon exploration missions and the first in the Arab world. The lunar explorer will send data and images for the first time from new lunar regions that will be shared with local and international research centres,” added His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The announcement comes two months after the launch of ‘Hope Probe’, the Arab world’s first mission to Mars.