The UAE is gearing up for an eventful year in space exploration, with an ambitious mission set for the asteroid belt. The UAE Space Agency has finalized the science objectives and spacecraft design for this mission, which aims to study seven asteroids in the asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft, scheduled for launch in 2028, will embark on a six-year journey to reach the main asteroid belt.
The mission details were unveiled in a recently released paper, which will be presented at an upcoming conference in the United States in June. While the spacecraft’s name is yet to be announced, it will undertake a remarkable journey, passing by six asteroids to collect valuable data before attempting a landing on the seventh.
To navigate through the asteroid belt, the spacecraft will utilize gravity assistance from Venus, Earth, and Mars. Along the way, it may capture images of Venus, providing insights into this planet often referred to as Earth’s “evil twin” due to its similar size and structure but extreme surface temperatures reaching up to 400°C.
The UAE Space Agency is leading the project, with support from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, which previously collaborated on the successful Emirates Mars Mission (Hope probe). By involving start-ups and established companies in building approximately 50% of the spacecraft, the UAE aims to bolster its private space sector and contribute to the national economy.
Exploring the asteroid belt is of great scientific interest as it contains remnants of the early solar system, offering valuable clues about the formation of Earth and other planets. According to NASA, the asteroid belt is estimated to house between 1.1 million and 1.9 million asteroids larger than 1km in diameter, along with countless smaller ones. The region’s asteroids originated from the collisions and fragmentation caused by the gravitational influence of Jupiter during the early stages of the solar system.
The seven asteroids earmarked for exploration by the UAE spacecraft are 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, 88055, 23871, and 59980, with the ambitious objective of landing on 269 Justitia. Notably, asteroid 623 Chimaera is the largest remaining fragment of the ancient C-type Chimaera family, offering insights into the early solar system. Aside from the scientific significance, NASA has previously estimated that the mineral resources within the asteroids of the belt could be equivalent to approximately $100 billion per person currently living on Earth.
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