Hamdan bin Mohammed Signs Pact for Emirates Asteroid Belt Mission Lander

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, recently witnessed the signing of an important agreement. This agreement is aimed at developing the lander for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), a project that highlights the UAE’s growing ambitions in space exploration.

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The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who serves as the Minister of Sports and the Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, along with His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs. Faisal Al Bannai also represented the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) during this event.

During the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan expressed the importance of the agreement, emphasizing how it reflects the UAE’s ability to turn challenges into opportunities through cooperation among national organizations and institutions. He described the mission’s focus on studying the asteroid "Justitia" as an example of the UAE's dedication to building a bright future driven by knowledge. His Highness stated that the mission aligns with the country’s vision to position itself as a global hub for innovation, and advanced technology, and a leader in the space sector.

He further highlighted the UAE's determination to advance its competitiveness on the global stage by combining ambitious goals with scientific innovation. Sheikh Hamdan noted that the mission marks another step in the UAE's journey in space exploration, leaving an "Emirati mark" in this field. He stressed the importance of supporting Emirati talent while encouraging private sector participation as a strategic partner in future initiatives.

According to Sheikh Hamdan, the mission embodies the UAE’s dreams of achieving milestones that benefit humanity. He believes such projects will inspire future generations in the UAE to aim higher and explore new possibilities.

The UAE Space Agency has chosen the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to take charge of developing and executing the lander for the mission. The lander will be aboard the MBR Explorer and will be used to study the seventh and final asteroid in the mission, Justitia. This agreement is part of the UAE’s strategy to empower the private sector and startups by creating new opportunities for both Emirati and international companies operating within the UAE. The plan dedicates 50% of the mission’s scope to private sector involvement, further strengthening the role of businesses in the country’s space projects.

The TII will oversee the design, development, and testing of the lander. It will also provide opportunities for startups to contribute to different aspects of the project. This approach aligns with the strategic goals of the mission, as the lander will be developed within the UAE with the involvement of academic institutions.

TII was selected for this critical role after the Mission Concept Review (MCR) of the lander, which was initially conducted by two UAE-based startups, 971Space and SADEEM Space Solutions. TII’s strong technical capabilities made it the best choice to lead the EMA lander project.

The EMA mission itself is set to span 13 years. The first six years will focus on developing the spacecraft, followed by a seven-year journey to the Main Asteroid Belt, which lies beyond Mars. During the mission, the MBR Explorer will perform close flybys of seven asteroids, collecting valuable data that has never been obtained. The mission will culminate in the lander's deployment to the asteroid Justitia, furthering our understanding of these distant celestial bodies.

The agreement signed and the mission it supports showcase the UAE’s commitment to making significant contributions to space exploration while inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers.