DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) MBR (Mohammed Bin Rashid) spacecraft heading for the asteroid belt will be launched on a Japanese rocket, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, attends the signing ceremony of the agreement between the UAE Space Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries attended. Services for the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Explorer spacecraft on the H3 rocket in early 2028.
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The effort is part of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, one of the UAE’s largest space initiatives.
Commenting on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan commented that the mission to explore the asteroid belt is a crucial step in the UAE’s ambition to become a leading player in space science.
“The UAE’s mission to explore Venus and the asteroid belt marks another important milestone in our space exploration journey, driven by the talent and dedication of Emiratis. “Leaders have continuously invested in developing national capabilities, equipping the nation with the knowledge and skills necessary for the UAE to continue moving forward on its journey of success in the space sector,” he said.
Sheikh Hamdan added that the agreement is a strategic step to strengthen the UAE’s position in the global space sector.
“The space sector is the gateway to the future and investments in it strengthen the UAE’s leadership in science and technology.Emirate’s mission to the asteroid belt is a testament to our commitment to building a future rooted in innovation and knowledge for generations to come. It is one of our biggest national projects, reflecting our ambitions.”
Sheikh Hamdan said that under the UAE’s visionary leadership, the country continues to build strong global partnerships that support its goals in space exploration and innovation, leading to sustainable growth and the development of a knowledge-based economy. He said that he is contributing to.
He also met with Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, Chairman of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and his delegation. Dr. Yamakawa emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, working towards common international space exploration goals, and promoting the sustainability of space activities.
main rocket
It was in July that Japan successfully launched its new flagship H3 rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite from its space center, in a boost to Japan’s space ambitions following a failed debut last year.
The liquid-fueled H3 rocket was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. as Japan’s next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle.
The H3 rocket launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan is the world’s first rocket to use a very simple engine design with an expander bleed cycle engine in its first stage, and is said to be a cost-competitive product.
13 years of mission
The UAE’s mission to explore the asteroid belt with the development of the Mohammed bin Rashid Explorer, scheduled to launch in early 2028, builds on the success of the Hope Probe Mars mission. The agreement marks the third collaboration between the UAE and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on a national space mission, following the launches of KhalifaSat in 2018 and the Hope spacecraft in 2020.
Emirates’ mission to the asteroid belt will be a 13-year journey, with six years devoted to spacecraft development and seven years spent exploring the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The Mohammed bin Rashid spacecraft will fly close to six asteroids and collect valuable data before landing on the seventh asteroid, Justitia.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said the UAE’s mission to explore the asteroid belt will foster strong regional and global partnerships while fostering investment in the growing space industry. He said that this is consistent with the strategy of fostering. He added that this partnership is another milestone in the UAE’s deep space exploration journey and reflects strong confidence in Mitsubishi’s technology and expertise.
5 billion km journey
Emirates mission to the asteroid belt embarks on a 5 billion kilometer journey. Gravity-assisted maneuvers from Venus, Earth, and Mars will optimize the trajectory of the flyby campaign. The first asteroid encounter is expected in February 2030, and large-scale exploration within the asteroid belt will begin.
The MBR Explorer spacecraft carries four advanced scientific instruments, including a visible camera, a medium-wave infrared spectrometer, a thermal infrared spectrometer, and an infrared camera.
These instruments will measure the surface composition, geology, internal density, temperature, and thermophysical properties of many asteroids in the main asteroid belt, assess the stages of surface evolution and history, and better understand the origins of their water-rich origin. It will be determined accurately.
Partner contributions
A group of academic and hardware development partners are contributing to the mission, including Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and the UAE University National Center for Space Science and Technology. Additionally, national institutions and private sector partners are involved, such as the Technology Innovation Institute and Yahsat. International cooperation includes prominent institutions such as the Italian Space Agency, the University of Colorado, and the University of Arizona.