Hamdan bin Mohammed: We are capable of reaching the stars, and the UAE’s footprints in space will be no less brilliant than its achievements on Earth.

The agreement aims to launch the Rashid 2 rover to the lunar surface in 2026, making it the second mission in history to land on the far side of the moon. His Highness affirmed that with the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, the UAE continues to consolidate its leading position in the global space sector, and that its youth are capable of reaching for the stars, and that its footprints in space will be no less brilliant than its achievements on Earth.

His Highness wrote on his official account on the X platform: “As part of the Emirates Lunar Exploration Project, I witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the American company Firefly Aerospace, with the aim of launching the Rashid 2 rover to the lunar surface in 2026, making it the second mission in history to seek to land on the far side of the moon.” His Highness added: “With the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and with ambitions that embrace space, the UAE continues to consolidate its leading position in the global space sector… We have full confidence that, with the minds of our youth and their unwavering will, we are capable of reaching the stars, and that the UAE’s footprints in space will be no less brilliant than its achievements on Earth.”