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- It came as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visited Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, a day after the unsuccessful attempt to land the Emirati Rashid rover on the lunar surface
- The UAE built a space sector from scratch within just 10 years; the Rashid rover mission was driven by the country’s ambitious vision for space exploration,” said Sheikh Mohammed
DUBAI: The UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre plans to launch a new lunar mission, Rashid 2, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, announced on Wednesday.
It came a day after contact was lost with the craft carrying the Emirati Rashid rover as it attempted to land on the surface of the moon. The private Japanese company behind the mission, ispace, later confirmed it was likely its Hakuto (White Rabbit) lander had crashed on the surface.
Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum, visited the space center on Wednesday and met the Emirates Lunar Mission team behind the UAE’s first attempt to land a vehicle on the lunar surface, the Emirates News Agency reported.
Although the mission to place the Rashid rover on the moon was unsuccessful, Sheikh Mohammed said “we kept our aspirations high” and that the UAE will continue to conduct space-exploration missions.
“Emiratis have proved their ability to develop advanced space projects and rapidly create a vibrant national space sector,” he added.
“The UAE built a space sector from scratch within just 10 years. The Rashid rover mission was driven by the country’s ambitious vision for space exploration.”
Crown Prince Hamdan said all space missions carry significant degrees of risk, which must be managed scientifically and methodically to help advance research and experimentation. The UAE will continue to expand its knowledge and expertise as it builds an advanced space sector, he added.
Noting that the country is entering a new phase of space exploration, he said: “Today, under the directives and guidance of his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, we announce the launch of the Rashid 2 project, a new Emirati attempt to reach the moon.”