UAE partners with Japan's iSpace to send rover to the moon in 2022 (updated)
14/04/2021 08:27
(Adds detail)
DUBAI, April 14 (Reuters) - Lunar exploration company iSpace
will transport a United Arab Emirates rover to the moon in 2022,
the company said on Wednesday, as the UAE pushes for rapid
expansion in the space exploration business to diversify its
economy.
The UAE is using its space programme to develop its
scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its
reliance on oil.
The Gulf state's, and the Arab world's, first interplanetary
probe entered Mars' orbit in February. It is now sending data
about the Martian atmosphere and climate. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2KF1ZZ
The Rashid lunar rover will be designed entirely by
Emiratis. The UAE had originally intended to send it into space
by 2024.
Japanese company iSpace, founded in 2010, aims to provide
commercial transportation to the moon with a wider mission to
ultimately incorporate the moon into the earth's economy.
The 2022 launch will be iSpace's first mission of this kind
and will use a Falcon 9 rocket from Elon Musk's SpaceX, to be
launched from Florida.
Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) will build
the Rashid lunar rover. It will remain on the moon after data
collection is completed, said Emirates Lunar Mission manager
Hamad al-Marzooqi.
The SpaceX rocket will deliver an iSpace lander to the
moon's orbit. The lander will propel itself to the moon's
surface and the UAE rover will then emerge from the lander and
drive off to explore, said iSpace Founder and CEO Takeshi
Hakamada.
The lander will also be carrying a solid-state battery
designed by Japanese company NGK Spark Plug 5334.T to be
tested in the lunar environment.
The lunar mission is part of the Gulf state's broader vision
for a Mars settlement by 2117.
Under the agreement, iSpace said it would also provide the
Emirates Lunar Mission with wired communication and power during
the cruise phase and wireless communication on the moon.
The UAE launched a National Space Programme in 2017 to
develop local expertise. Its population of 9.4 million, most of
whom are foreign workers, lacks the scientific and industrial
base of the major countries which have space programmes.
Hazza al-Mansouri became the first Emirati in space in 2019
when he flew to the International Space Station. This week the
UAE selected the first Arab woman to train as an astronaut.
urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2M405F
(Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Alexander Cornwell
Editing by David Goodman and Jane Merriman)
((Alexander.Cornwell@thomsonreuters.com;))