Dubai, United Arab Emirates – As part of the ongoing preparations for the launch of the Rashid 2 rover in 2026, as part of the Emirates Lunar Exploration Project, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced the expansion of its cooperation with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). This collaboration aims to provide the mission with innovative technologies that enhance its scientific capabilities and operational efficiency. This collaboration consolidates the UAE’s leading position in space exploration.
In a pivotal step within this framework, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) in France, aiming to enhance cooperation on the Rashid 2 rover mission as part of the Emirates Lunar Exploration Project. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the MBRSC, and Lionel Suchet, Executive Vice President of the CNES, on the sidelines of the World Space Business Week held in Paris, France.
This cooperation builds on the successful partnership that began with the Rashid 1 rover, with both parties currently working to develop the scientific and technical capabilities of the new mission. Under the agreement, France’s National Centre for Space Studies will supply Rashid 2 with two cameras and a CASPEX unit. This equipment has proven its effectiveness in previous space missions. These cameras will contribute to processing the images the rover will capture during its mission, supporting the achievement of scientific objectives on the lunar surface.
As a continuation of its technical support, the French National Center for Space Studies recently hosted the Rashid 2 rover team in Toulouse. The rover underwent thermal-vacuum tests in environmental conditions simulating the harsh lunar environment. This was done to ensure the rover and its subsystems operate efficiently under these conditions.
Launch and scientific objectives
Earlier this year, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the centre and Firefly Aerospace. Under the agreement, Firefly will provide the lunar landing platform that will be used to land the Rashid 2 rover on the far side of the moon.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has set a number of ambitious scientific objectives for the Rashid 2 rover. These include testing the rover’s ability to move and navigate in the unique environment of the far side of the moon. This is an important assignment due to its sloping terrain and communication difficulties. Accomplishing the mission will be a milestone in lunar exploration.
The mission’s main objectives also include studying the adhesion properties of materials. The rover’s wheels will be equipped with various materials to test their resistance to lunar dust. This will contribute to the development of technologies essential for future missions, including spacesuits, surface installations, and lunar infrastructure.
Rashid 2 will be equipped with a suite of advanced scientific instruments to study the lunar plasma environment, geology, and thermal conditions. The rover will include a radio transmitter to enable communication with other payloads during the mission, enhancing the mission’s scientific return. Soil properties, temperature changes, and the photoelectron atmosphere on the lunar surface will also be analyzed. This will contribute to efforts to utilize the lunar resources available on the lunar surface, paving the way for deeper exploration into space.
It’s worth noting that the Emirates Lunar Exploration Project is funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TDRA). This comes as part of its support for research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE.
