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Sheikh Hamdan reviews MBRSC’s 2021-2031 strategy, roadmap for UAE moon mission

Sheikh Hamdan met with the Emirates Lunar Mission team and reviewed the design of the Rashid lunar rover and its various launch phases.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre visited the space centre earlier this week to review new 2021-2031 strategy, including key objectives and projects.

Sheikh Hamdan met with the Emirates Lunar Mission team and reviewed the design of the Rashid lunar rover and its various launch phases. He was briefed in detail about the progress of the project.

The rover was named Rashid by HH Sheikh Mohammed in honour of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the development of the 100% Emirati-built lunar rover and the project roadmap for the upcoming period. The MBRSC’s team briefed His Highness on the key stages of the roadmap with a focus on its scientific and innovative aspects. He was also briefed on the various components of the lunar rover, and its functions, features and characteristics.

The team gaveSheikh Hamdan an overview of previous missions conducted in the lead-up to the current phase of the project. The team explained how the mission aims to land on an area of the Moon’s surface that has not been explored by any previous lunar missions.

During the visit, the team also provided His Highness with a detailed understanding of the project’s supervision system, risk management and operations, as well as its preparedness to resolve any challenges. In addition, the team demonstrated how the Emirati lunar rover will perform key tasks once it lands on the surface of the Moon.

Sheikh Hamdan inspected the work of the project’s sub-teams, including the project management, development and scientific instruments and control teams. The team reviewed the Emirates Lunar Mission’s development phases, itinerary, scientific objectives and its pre-launch test in 2024.

Emirates Lunar Mission is the first Emirati and Arab mission to study an unexplored part of the illuminated surface of the moon.

Commenting on the moon mission, Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE continues to strengthen its global standing in the field of space exploration by launching exceptional projects that help create a brighter future for the region and a better quality of life for its people.