UAE: Reaching for the Stars in 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) space sector has continued its impressive growth trajectory throughout 2025, solidifying its position as a leading global hub for cutting-edge technology and knowledge-based industries. These achievements highlight the UAE's unwavering commitment to enhancing its space capabilities and fostering international collaboration in the field. A key focus remains on nurturing the next generation of Emirati astronauts, as well as developing highly skilled administrative and technical teams specialized in the intricacies of the space sector.

World Space Week: Celebrating Humanity's Journey in Space

The UAE joins the global community in observing World Space Week, an annual event declared by the United Nations and celebrated from October 4th to 10th. This week serves as a platform to recognize the invaluable contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of human life.

World Space Week stands as the largest annual space event worldwide. Its core objectives include:

• Inspiring students and building the workforce of tomorrow.
• Demonstrating strong public support for space programmes.
• Educating the public about the diverse range of space activities.
• Fostering international cooperation in space outreach and education initiatives.

This year's theme, “Living in Space,” delves into humanity’s ambitious journey toward establishing space as a viable habitat. It emphasizes the groundbreaking technologies, significant challenges, and collaborative endeavors that are making this ambitious vision a tangible reality.

A Year of Launches: Expanding the UAE's Satellite Constellation

The UAE commenced the year with a series of significant satellite launches, further expanding its capabilities in space observation and communication.

• On January 4th, the Thuraya 4 satellite was launched, alongside four other satellites: Mohammed bin Zayed Sat, Al Ain Sat-1, HCT-SAT 1, and the second phase of the Foresight satellite constellation.
• March 15th marked the launch of the first Emirati radar satellite, “UnionSat,” a crucial step in enhancing the nation's Earth observation capabilities.

International Collaboration: Partnering for Lunar Exploration

The UAE has strengthened its active and influential role in the global space science and technology community through strategic partnerships.

• In February, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Thales Alenia Space, a key partner in the development of the Gateway lunar space station's Pressure Equalisation Unit, signed a cooperation agreement.

• Under this agreement, the UAE will be responsible for developing and operating the Lunar Gateway pressure equalization module for a period of up to 15 years, with a potential extension.

  • The unit will weigh 10 tonnes, measure 10 metres in length and 4 metres in width.
  • The entire station measures 19 x 20 x 42M.
  • This allows the UAE a permanent presence and scientific input in the largest lunar and space exploration program.
  • The UAE will be among the first countries to send an astronaut to the moon during this project, with priority access to advanced scientific and engineering data gathered by the station, enhancing its journey of knowledge.

• In May, MBRSC signed an agreement with US-based Firefly Aerospace for the provision of the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover as part of the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the moon.

  • Under the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle.
  • The Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2 in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace’s second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA.
  • Through this mission, the UAE will join a small group of nations exploring the Moon’s far side — enabling it to collect unique scientific data that will help advance future lunar infrastructure technologies.

Enhancing Lunar Exploration Capabilities: The Rashid Rover 2 Mission

MBRSC continues its strategic partnership with the French space agency (CNES) in preparation for the Emirates Lunar Mission’s Rashid Rover 2, scheduled for launch to the Moon's surface in 2026. Building on the success of the first Rashid Rover collaboration, both organizations are working closely to enhance the scientific and technological capabilities of the new mission.

• Under the new agreement, CNES will provide two cameras and a CASPEX module, which has been proven in previous space missions, to be installed on Rashid Rover 2.
• These cameras will enable Rashid Rover 2 to deliver high-resolution imagery to support scientific objectives on the lunar surface.
• The collaboration also extends to image processing, with specialists contributing to ensure the highest quality of data, crucial for advancing lunar research.

Developing Emirati Talent: The Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Programme

The National Space Academy, a UAE Space Agency initiative dedicated to developing a skilled and future-ready national workforce, has launched the Space Mission and Satellite Engineering Programme (SMSE) in partnership with EDGE.

• Delivered in collaboration with EDGE entities FADA and BEACON RED, the SMSE programme aims to build the UAE’s next generation of satellite engineers, system architects, and mission leaders through hands-on space mission systems training.
• The programme equips Emirati professionals, researchers, and graduates with specialized expertise in satellite mission design, space systems engineering, and mission operations, positioning them to support and accelerate the development of the UAE’s space capabilities.

Exploring the Asteroid Belt: The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt

The UAE Space Agency announced the completion of the final design phase of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, the first scientific mission of its kind to study seven asteroids within the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

• The UAE Space Agency and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) signed an agreement to design and develop the EMA Lander which will be aboard the MBR Explorer, and will be deployed to study the 7th asteroid Justitia, as part of the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA).
• Under this agreement, TII will lead the design, development and testing phases of the lander, as well as providing opportunities for startups’ participation in the development of the project.
• The mission aims to allocate 50% of the project to UAE based companies, with the goal of creating substantial economic opportunities, spurring Emirati startups, and attracting international partnerships.

Celebrating Hope: The Fifth Anniversary of the Hope Probe

In July, the UAE celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Hope Probe — the first Arab and Islamic interplanetary mission to explore Mars — launched on July 20, 2020. The probe continues to operate successfully, providing unprecedented scientific data on the Martian atmosphere, shared with research centers, universities, and scientific institutions worldwide.