UEA And ISpace To Launch Spacecraft To The Moon

UAE ready to send robot explorers to the Moon (Daniel Roberts -Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The United Arab Emirates (UEA) is partnering with Moon exploration company, iSpace, to launch its spacecraft. The UAE plans to launch a spacecraft in 2022.

The UAE is also in the midst of a major expansion in the field of space exploration. The space program that the UAE is intensifying is part of the development of science and technology. They also seek to reduce dependence on oil.

Previously, in February, the UEA's spacecraft successfully orbited Mars. Now the rover robot is sending various data related to the climate and atmosphere of the Red planet.

As for the spacecraft on the lunar mission, the UAE will design the entire section by Emirati technicians. The UAE spacecraft for that lunar mission is named Rashid.

Initially, the UAE would launch the Rashid probe to the Moon in 2024 but that schedule was accelerated by two years.

The UAE partner in the project, iSpace, is a Japanese space company that was founded in 2010. iSpace aims to be commercial transportation to the Moon.

In 2022, iSpace will launch its inaugural rocket carrying the UAE's Rashid spacecraft. iSpace is rumored to be using one of the Falcon 9 rockets, a rocket belonging to SpaceX. The month's mission will be launched in Florida, USA.

On the other hand, the UAE will build the Rashid explorer at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) located in Dubai. According to the head of the Emirates Moon Mission, Hamad al-Marzooqi revealed that the Rashid spacecraft will remain on the Moon even after its task has been completed.

Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of iSpace, explained that the Rashid explorer robot will move by itself to the surface of the moon. After that, the Rashid would leave the vehicle and start exploring.

Rashid is also rumored to be carrying a solid-state battery made by NGK Spark Plug, a Japanese company. The goal is to test the battery in the lunar environment.

The Moon mission is part of a major Gulf state goal of establishing a settlement on the surface of Mars which is scheduled to take place in 2117. iSpace explained that its company is ready to prepare the Emirates Lunar Mission with a wireless communication system on the Moon. This will be done when Rashid explores the Moon.

The United Arab Emirates launched a national space program in 2017 intending to develop its own country's science and technology. This is because the UAE, which has 9.4 million inhabitants, are mostly foreign workers. They do not have a scientific base like that of the superpowers, especially for the space exploration project.

Now the UAE is encouraging massive space exploration for the advancement of science and technology in its country. In 2019, the UAE successfully flew Hazza Al-Mansouri to the International Space Station (ISS). He became the first UAE person to fly into space. In the future, the UAE will also fly its first woman into space.