February 2025
Space Insights
A Space Odyssey: The UAE’s Ambitions Reach Celestial Heights
From a desert nation to a space explorer, the UAE has come millions of miles. The UAE’s space ambitions are soaring, driven by a vision to position the nation as a global leader in space exploration and innovation.
The UAE’s mission to explore space dates back to the 1970s, when the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met with the Apollo 17 astronauts—Gene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt, who had returned from the Moon. Since then, His Highness Sheikh Zayed’s vision has been a driving force, encouraging us to look at how space can enable the betterment of humanity and particularly support in mitigating some of the challenges our region faces, especially climate and environmental issues.
The UAE space sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, achieving rapid growth within a record timeframe and setting a unique example of development and sustained success. In December 2024, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, said that the country’s investments in the sector reached AED 40 billion over the past years, with research and development spending on space exploration projects rising by 14.8% compared to the previous year. The sector has also recorded a 29% annual growth in the number of companies operating within it. In comparison, private sector financing and investments accounted for 44.3%, highlighting the growing contribution of private companies to this vital sector.
Since launching the UAE Space Agency in 2014, the country has made remarkable strides. As a driving force behind the UAE’s space ambitions, the agency fosters the peaceful use of space research, strengthens national capabilities, and accelerates economic growth through innovation and collaboration.
A defining milestone in this journey was the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) “Hope Probe,” the first Arab and Islamic probe to reach Mars. Launched in July 2020, this achievement placed the UAE among just nine nations to explore the Red Planet. Also known as the “Hope Probe,” it marks the UAE’s historic foray into interplanetary exploration. The Probe successfully entered Mars’ orbit on February 9, 2021—on its first attempt making the UAE the first Arab nation and the fifth country worldwide to reach the Red Planet. This milestone underscores the nation’s growing role in global space exploration and scientific discovery.
With a long-term goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars by 2117, the UAE is investing heavily in space research, AI-driven satellite technology, and lunar exploration. The Rashid Rover, part of the Emirates Lunar Mission, is set to pave the way for future deep-space endeavors, while the ambitious Mars 2117 project aims to develop a sustainable colony on Mars.
Key Milestones and Initiatives
1. Emirates Mars Mission (“Hope Probe”): Launched in July 2020, the “Hope Probe“ successfully entered Mars’ orbit in February 2021, making the UAE the first Arab nation to reach Mars. The mission aims to provide a comprehensive study of the Martian atmosphere.
2. Emirates Lunar Mission: Announced in 2020, this mission plans to deploy the Rashid Rover to explore previously uncharted lunar areas. Although an initial landing attempt in 2023 was unsuccessful, the UAE remains committed to future lunar exploration endeavors.
3. Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt: Scheduled for launch in 2028, this ambitious mission aims to explore seven asteroids, culminating in a landing on the asteroid 269 Justitia in 2034. The mission seeks to enhance understanding of the solar system’s origins and assess potential resources within the asteroid belt.
The Beginning of the Saga
In 2016, the UAE unveiled its National Space Policy, reinforcing the country’s dedication to building a sustainable and globally competitive space sector. Designed to protect national interests and drive innovation, the policy serves as a strategic framework for advancing space exploration, research, and industry development. A key objective is to maximize the use of space technology to enhance critical sectors such as communications, security, and infrastructure. The policy also fosters the growth of a dynamic and innovative commercial space industry, encouraging investment and collaboration with global partners. Scientific space missions remain a priority, with ongoing efforts to expand the UAE’s research capabilities and contribute valuable data to the international scientific community.
In March 2019, the UAE government introduced the National Space Strategy 2030, a visionary roadmap for the country’s space sector. The strategy encompasses government, commercial, and scientific space activities, engaging public and private entities, academic institutions, and research centers. Focused on advancing space exploration, technology, and applications, it sets out six key objectives, 21 programs, and 79 initiatives. These initiatives aim to strengthen the UAE’s leadership in the space industry, benefiting over 85 organizations across the country.
Sustainable Frontier
Sustainability has always been a fundamental motivation behind the UAE’s mission to explore life and resources beyond our planet. The consequences of the environmental challenges Earth is facing are becoming more severe as time goes by. The impact of climate change is already evident in the UAE, the region, and most countries worldwide. As such, contributing to a sustainable future is now more critical than ever, both within our country and globally. The space sector plays a vital role in providing global solutions for the environmental threats facing our planet. These threats include climate change, resource scarcity, desertification, rising sea levels, and an increased frequency and severity of national disasters. The UAE is already putting space technology to work for the benefit of humanity by forming partnerships to foster innovative technologies, launching satellites to monitor and measure the impact of climate change, and establishing research centers dedicated to advanced sciences. The UAE Space Agency signed multiple partnership agreements for implementing a sustainable, competitive economy based on knowledge, expertise, and diversity. Its work does not only address the environmental element of sustainability but also contributes significantly to different elements of the United Nations SDG by stimulating economic growth and developing international partnerships to share knowledge and experience.
International Collaboration
International partnerships are as vital as establishing a national agency. The UAE actively engages in international partnerships to bolster its space capabilities. Notably, in September 2024, the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the US President, Joe Biden to discuss cooperation in advanced technology and space exploration, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to global collaboration in the space sector. Through these initiatives and strategic efforts, the UAE continues to position itself as a leader in space exploration and technology, contributing significantly to global advancements in the field. In February 2025, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) entered into a significant partnership with Thales Alenia Space. This collaboration, marked by the signing of an MoU, focuses on the development of the Pressure Equalisation Unit for the Gateway lunar space station. The Gateway lunar space station project, part of NASA’s Artemis program, stands as a pivotal venture aiming to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon and support future missions to Mars and beyond.
Transformative Growth in 2025
The UAE’s space industry is set for a groundbreaking year in 2025, with key missions and technological advancements reinforcing its position on the global stage. From the highly anticipated launch of MBZ-Sat to progress on the country’s second Lunar Rover and significant private sector expansion, the year promises to be pivotal for the nation’s rapidly evolving space ecosystem.
1. MBZ-Sat: The Region’s Most Advanced Earth Observation Satellite: The 700 kg MBZ-Sat, the region’s most sophisticated Earth observation satellite, is scheduled to launch in early 2025 aboard a SpaceX rocket. Developed by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) since 2020, MBZ-Sat incorporates components primarily sourced from private UAE companies, aiming to bolster the local space industry.
2. Sirb Programme: Expanding the UAE’s Radar Satellite Network: Beyond MBZ-Sat, progress is expected on the UAE Space Agency’s Sirb Programme, a constellation of high-precision radar satellites. In September 2024, the agency awarded a contract to FADA, a subsidiary of UAE defense conglomerate EDGE, to develop these satellites.
3. Rashid 2: The UAE’s Second Lunar Rover: MBRSC engineers are actively developing Rashid 2, the UAE’s second Lunar Rover. A lander has already been selected, with an official announcement expected soon. The first Rashid Rover was lost after its Japanese lander crashed during descent. The nation also announced that it will be sending its first Emirati astronaut into the lunar orbit. Announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the agreement was signed between MBRSC and Thales Alenia Space in February 2025.
4. MBR Explorer: UAE’s Bold Mission to the Asteroid Belt: The UAE Space Agency is advancing plans for the MBR Explorer, a spacecraft designed to explore the main asteroid belt. The mission will visit seven asteroids and attempt a historic landing on the last one. Along its journey, the spacecraft will also conduct a flyby of Venus, potentially capturing unprecedented images. The lander, designed to study the asteroid Justitia, will be part of the larger EMA initiative, which spans a 13 year mission to explore asteroids beyond Mars.
The 2,300 kg spacecraft is expected to undergo its critical design review in 2025, marking the final blueprint approval before construction begins. A launch is planned for 2028, in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), the UAE’s partner for the successful Mars mission.
The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt will embark on a 5-billion-kilometer journey. Gravity assist maneuvers from Venus, Earth, and Mars will optimize its trajectory for the flyby campaign. The first asteroid encounter is expected in February 2030, marking the beginning of an extensive exploration within the asteroid belt.
Private Sector Expansion
In December 2024, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the UAE’s AED 40 billion investment in space exploration, with R&D spending rising by 14.8% and a 29% annual increase in space sector companies. Private sector financing now constitutes 44.3% of total investment, highlighting its expanding role in shaping the UAE’s space ambitions. Major UAE-based entities such as MUBADALA, Yahsat (which merged with Bayanat to form SPACE42), and Thuraya (now part of Yahsat) are recognized as strategic contributors to the nation’s space ambitions. Additionally, international giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing are acknowledged for their advanced capabilities, further strengthening the UAE’s global space collaborations.
To nurture innovation, the UAE is actively supporting startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and entrepreneurs in the space sector. The MBRSC Space Ventures program partners with UAE-based startups, providing technological expertise and regulatory guidance while fostering commercial collaborations in both upstream and downstream space activities. In 2022, the UAE Space Agency launched the National Space Fund, an AED 3 billion (USD 820 million) initiative to support international and Emirati companies involved in space engineering, sciences, and research applications. Additionally, the Space Economic Zone Program, an integrated initiative designed to support startups and SMEs in the space technology sector, offers incentives such as special economic zones, with the first established in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with MASDAR. Future zones are planned for Dubai and Sharjah, providing SMEs with access to cutting-edge space laboratories, workspaces, funding opportunities, and streamlined permits.
Future of the UAE’s Astronaut Programme
Following the historic six month space mission of His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi in 2023, during which he became the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk, the UAE’s astronaut corps is preparing for its next ventures. The program, which began with Hazza Al Mansouri’s groundbreaking 2019 flight, includes astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla, who are awaiting their first missions. While no new Emirati astronaut flights have been announced for 2025, the UAE remains committed to securing future opportunities aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and upcoming commercial space stations as the ISS nears retirement by the end of the decade.
The UAE’s Bold Leap into Space Exploration
It goes without saying that the UAE Space Agency’s accomplishments reflect the nation’s bold vision for space exploration. Through groundbreaking projects and strategic initiatives, the UAE continues to position itself as a global leader in space science and technology, opening new avenues for international collaboration and scientific discovery. Guided by the leadership’s vision for progress and sustainability, the UAE remains committed to shaping the future of space exploration and its applications.
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