The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made headlines recently when it announced plans to send an unmanned spacecraft to the moon in 2024. This ambitious project is part of the country’s larger space strategy to build new knowledge capabilities and promote scientific, technical, and research advancements. If successful, the UAE could establish itself as a significant player in the field of space exploration and bring novel insights about the lunar surface.
The Rashid Rover: Exploring Uncharted Territories
Named after Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, one of the founding rulers of the UAE, the spacecraft, or rover, called ‘Rashid’, has a primary mission to explore areas of the moon that have not previously been investigated by human excursions, including NASA’s Apollo. A rover is essentially a vehicle specifically designed for traversing the surface of a planet or moon.
UAE’s Space Exploration Ambitions
The upcoming moon mission is not the UAE’s first step into space exploration. In fact, in July 2020, the UAE launched its Mars probe, Amal (Hope), marking the Arab world’s debut in interplanetary missions. Expected to reach Mars in February 2021, this mission coincided with the country’s celebration of 50 years since its formation. The UAE also aims to establish a human colony on Mars by 2117, further signaling its commitment to advancing space research and exploration.
The Struggles and Successes of Moon Landing Missions
If successful in their 2024 lunar mission, the UAE would become the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon, following the USA, Soviet Union, and China. Several other countries, including India, Israel, and Japan, have attempted this challenge but were met with difficulty and failure. For instance, India launched its Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, aiming to land on the South Pole of the Moon. However, the expedition faced a setback as the lander Vikram hard-landed, crushing India’s hopes of making a successful maiden lunar touchdown.
Future Moon Missions: Artemis and Chandrayaan-3
In response to the unsuccessful attempt with Chandrayaan-2, India has planned a new moon mission named Chandrayaan-3. Scheduled for early 2021, this mission will repeat some aspects of its predecessor but exclude an orbiter. On the other hand, NASA has planned a crewed spaceflight mission known as Artemis. The goal of this program is to land “the first woman and the next man” on the moon’s south pole region by 2024.
UAE’s Steps towards a Resolute Space Presence
Beyond interplanetary exploration, the UAE has also made significant strides in astronautics. In 2019, the UAE sent its first astronaut to the International Space Station, solidifying its presence in the space domain. These endeavours are part of the broader vision of the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, to position itself at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements.