This week marks a major milestone for the UAE’s space program as the country’s engineers, scientists, and researchers prepare for some of the most historic and challenging missions attempted to date. The Rashid rover, a 10kg four-wheel robotic explorer, is scheduled for a lunar landing on April 25 aboard the Japanese Hakuto-R Mission 1 spacecraft, which has been travelling to the moon carrying the rover inside it for five months. This mission will be the first time an Arab spacecraft will have landed on another celestial body.
On landing day, the Japanese spacecraft will attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface, which is extremely difficult due to the moon’s lack of atmosphere and the complex manoeuvres required to slow down the spacecraft and land safely. If successful, the Rashid rover will then be placed on the surface using a pair of mechanical arms on the lander.
After remotely conducted health checks by engineers, the rover will begin its 14-day science mission, including studying the moon’s geology, soil, and dust, as well as capturing images. This mission is critical for advancing our understanding of the moon and its potential resources, as well as paving the way for future manned missions.
At the same time, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is set to embark on a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station on April 28, which will make him the first Arab astronaut to perform the feat. The mission is aimed at conducting various experiments, installing and testing new equipment, and maintaining the station’s exterior.
Overall, these missions represent significant achievements for the UAE’s space program and demonstrate the country’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and advancing scientific knowledge.
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