The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to play a pivotal role in NASA’s Artemis moon program by contributing to the lunar Gateway space station. In a groundbreaking agreement announced on January 7, the UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will construct the Crew and Science Airlock module for the Gateway, marking the nation’s significant involvement in humanity’s first space station orbiting the moon. This collaboration comes with an exciting reciprocal opportunity for the UAE, as one of its astronauts will have the chance to visit the lunar Gateway space station on a future Artemis mission.
UAE Boosts Artemis Program with Lunar Gateway Airlock Contribution
The Gateway envisioned as a multi-element lunar-orbiting staging post, is crucial for future missions to the moon’s surface. The Airlock module to be built by MBRSC will enable astronauts to conduct spacewalks outside the Gateway and deploy science payloads into space. The announcement did not specify a timeline for the UAE’s airlock contribution, but the initial Gateway elements are slated for launch together on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, tentatively scheduled for 2025.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of international collaboration in space, stating that combining resources, scientific capabilities, and technical expertise with the UAE will advance the collective vision for space exploration and offer extraordinary opportunities for everyone on Earth. The collaboration aligns with the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, with the UAE being one of 33 countries signed onto the Accords as of December 2023. These Accords outline principles for exploration and collaboration, guiding practices within NASA’s Artemis program.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the significance of the UAE’s provision of the airlock, noting that it will empower astronauts to conduct groundbreaking scientific research in deep space, ultimately contributing to preparations for future Mars missions. The Artemis program, symbolizing a new era of exploration, aims to enhance international cooperation in space exploration, fostering peaceful and collaborative efforts.
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The UAE’s Growing Role in Space Exploration: From Mars Orbiter to Lunar Gateway Collaboration
The UAE’s involvement in space exploration has been growing, with recent achievements including the launch of a Mars orbiter, the development of a space industry ecosystem, engagement in human spaceflight, and ambitious missions such as landing a probe on an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter by 2034. Furthermore, an Emirati university has joined the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), another lunar exploration initiative.
The UAE’s collaboration with NASA on the Artemis program, specifically contributing the airlock module for the lunar Gateway space station, signifies a significant stride in the nation’s space exploration endeavors. This partnership not only furthers global cooperation in space but also opens up exciting opportunities for Emirati astronauts to be part of future lunar missions, marking a historic chapter in the exploration of our celestial neighbor.