The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announced the date of the landing of the explorer Rashid on the surface of the moon, where seven major operations will be carried out within the framework of the explorer’s mission over the course of 10-12 Earth days. These operations include studying rocks and geology, experimenting with materials for protection from lunar surface soil, collecting data to develop new techniques, studying dust, thermal properties, and plasma, and taking about 1,000 images.
The director of the center, Salem Al-Marri, indicated that landing on the moon poses a great risk due to its difficult environment, as there is no atmosphere or friction with it, and the explorer will depend on the use of propulsion systems. An alternative date has been set in the event of any changes in operating conditions.
The announcement also includes details about the explorer’s location and altitude in orbit, orbit preparation and control operations, and confirmation of the explorer’s readiness for landing. The preparatory operations will help the mission team prepare for the operations that will take place after the landing on the lunar surface.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center sets the date for the “Explorer Rashid” to land on the moon
The announcement indicates that the mission includes two phases, as the first phase includes maneuvers to control the orbit of the explorer before the start of the landing sequence, while the second phase includes maneuvers to control the orbit of the “Hakuto-R” spacecraft carrying the explorer Rashid and confirm its readiness to land.
This mission comes as part of the UAE’s efforts to explore space and develop the space sector. Explorer Rashid is the first Emirati spacecraft to land on the moon.
The mission is expected to take about 13 days, as the explorer Rashid will be sent to the moon via the liquid-fueled “Falcon 9” rocket, and the explorer will be controlled from the ground control center in cooperation with the UAE team located in Japan.
Explorer Rashid will collect multiple data on the lunar surface, including temperature, humidity, and seismic movement. These data will be analyzed to understand more about the history, formation, and evolution of the moon.
The mission is a major achievement for the UAE in the field of space, as the country is working to develop the space sector and space exploration as part of its strategic plan to diversify the economy and develop innovation and technology.
This mission comes after the success of the “Hope” mission, launched by the UAE in July 2020 to study the Martian atmosphere, in which the UAE was able to successfully launch the probe to Mars.
Space exploration is a vital area for scientific and technological development, and it represents a tremendous challenge to humanity, as it requires advanced technologies, tools, and high scientific knowledge to explore and understand space.
The UAE has an ambitious vision to develop the space sector and benefit from space technologies in various fields, such as agriculture, sustainable development, communications and mobility, and seeks to achieve this by launching innovative space exploration missions and investments in scientific research and technological development.
The UAE works closely with international partners in the field of space, and cooperates with them in carrying out joint exploration missions and exchanging knowledge, expertise and technologies.
Explorer Rashid’s mission constitutes an important step in the UAE’s journey towards the moon and space, and reflects the country’s commitment to achieving progress and development in the field of space, space science and technology, and strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading country in this field.
