MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace Carry Out New Tests on Rashid Rover 2
Dubai has marked a key milestone in its lunar ambitions as Rashid Rover 2 completed a new round of tests in the United States. The tests were conducted in collaboration with Firefly Aerospace and, as a result, supported preparations for the Emirates Lunar Mission. Moreover, the program focused on validating the rover’s readiness ahead of its planned journey to the Moon.
The rover is scheduled to launch aboard Blue Ghost Mission 2 in 2026 and will target the far side of the Moon. Accordingly, engineers carried out electrical, software, and mechanical interface checks with the Blue Ghost lander. In addition, teams evaluated wireless performance between the rover and the lander to ensure reliable communication throughout the mission.
Integration trials ensure surface deployment success
Alongside system checks, teams also conducted deployment and drive-off trials. Consequently, these tests confirmed the rover’s ability to safely disembark onto the lunar surface under different conditions. Furthermore, the trials helped validate seamless integration between the rover and lander during transit and after touchdown.
Dr. Hamad AlMarzooqi, Project Manager for the Emirates Lunar Mission at MBRSC, stated that, “Our joint work with Firefly Aerospace emphasizes precision and innovation, ensuring that the mission’s scientific and technical goals are accomplished with the highest reliability. Rashid Rover 2 reflects the dedication of our engineers and the UAE’s commitment to contributing to global lunar exploration through knowledge-led progress.”
Rashid Rover 2 will operate on the far side of the Moon alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency, and NASA. Meanwhile, Blue Ghost Mission 2 will follow Firefly’s first lunar mission, which achieved a historic commercial Moon landing in March 2025.
Scientific objectives and international collaboration
Once deployed, the rover will conduct detailed studies of the lunar environment. Specifically, it will analyze plasma conditions, geology, thermal behavior, soil properties, surface temperatures, and the lunar photoelectron sheath. As a result, the mission is expected to deliver insights that support future in-situ resource utilization and deeper space exploration.
Farah Zuberi, Director of Spacecraft Mission Management at Firefly Aerospace, said that, “Firefly is proud to onboard the MBRSC Rashid Rover 2 on Blue Ghost Mission 2, an international mission representing countries around the world.”
“Now that the rover has been successfully delivered and tested in our cleanroom, we are one step closer to deploying it on the lunar surface and unlocking new insights on the far side of the Moon,” Zuberi added.
The Emirates Lunar Mission is funded by the ICT Fund of the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. Therefore, it reflects continued national investment in space research while reinforcing a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through global collaboration.
