Missions and Projects
UAE Astronaut Programme
HH Sheikh Mohammed
@HHShkMohd
" On this day, a new chapter in our history begins with the launch of the first UAE Astronaut Programme, dedicated to sending four Emirati Astronauts into space. The people of the UAE will break new barriers; nothing can stand in the way of those who believe nothing is impossible"
The UAE Astronaut Programme was initiated in April 2017, under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The programme is the first of its kind in the Arab world, that provides the necessary training, expertise, and qualification for Emirati cadres to represent the UAE, and the Arab world, in future space missions and to conduct scientific experiments that support the global space exploration process.
In 2018, astronauts Hazzaa AlMansoori and Dr. Sultan AlNeyadi were selected, from a pool of 4,000 applicants who applied to the UAE Astronaut Programme, to form the first batch. In 2021, the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme – first female Arab astronaut, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla – was selected from 4,305 applicants. The two astronauts from the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme graduated from the NASA Astronaut Candidate Class, as part of a joint strategic agreement between the UAE and the United States of America, to train them at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Zayed Ambition 1
Astronaut: Hazzaa AlMansoori
Date of Launch: 25 September 2019
Date of Arrival: 3 October 2019
On 25 September 2019, Hazzaa AlMansoori embarked on the UAE’s first scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Zayed Ambition 1 mission made the UAE the first country in the Arab region, to travel to the ISS.
AlMansoori conducted 31 scientific experiments, out of which 16 were held in cooperation with international space agencies, including Roscosmos, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). 15 of these experiments involved schools in the UAE as part of MBRSC’s Science in Space initiative.
Zayed Ambition 2
Astronaut: Sultan AlNeyadi
Date of Launch: 2 March 2023
Date of Arrival: 4 September 2023
Zayed Mission 2: AlNeyadi’s six-month mission during Expedition 69 was a landmark achievement, making him the first Arab to undertake such a prolonged mission aboard the ISS. During his time of over 4,000 hours aboard the ISS, he spearheaded 200+ research experiments and studies in collaboration with international agencies as well as entities in the UAE on a wide range of topics. His spacewalk of 7 hours and 1 minute added another historic milestone, symbolising the UAE’s growing presence in global space exploration.
Satellite Development Programme
The Satellite Development Programme aims to establish the UAE as a global leader in space innovation by designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge satellites to support Earth observation, environmental monitoring, disaster relief, and scientific research. Additionally, through strategic collaborations with national educational institutions and global partners, the programme fosters knowledge transfer, empowers Emirati talent, and integrates advanced space technologies to drive sustainable development, enhance infrastructure management, and address critical global challenges.
Services
SATELLITE IMAGERY SERVICES
High-resolution satellite images for government and commercial use in various applications
ANALYSIS AND STUDIES
Detailed analytical reports and professional scientific studies of satellite images
GROUND STATION SERVICES
Specialized ground services to its partners and customers around the world.
Emirates Lunar Mission
Rashid Rover
Emirates Airlock Gateway
The Gateway lunar space station will be the first space station to orbit the Moon. Built in collaboration with international and commercial partners, it will support long-duration astronaut missions, improve communication with the lunar surface, and provide vital research on solar and cosmic radiation. As a crucial component of lunar exploration and future Mars missions, the Gateway will expand human presence in space. The UAE’s participation through the development of the Emirates Airlock represents a significant milestone in global space cooperation.