The Rashid rover will provide high-value data, images, and detailed information as well as collect scientific data on issues related to the origins of the Solar System and Earth.
Rashid Rover launched on Hakuto-R – Japan’s lunar lander. (Source: Arabian Business)
The Rashid rover, developed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was successfully launched on December 11, marking the UAE’s first mission to the surface of the Moon.
According to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai, during this mission, Rashid will provide high-value data, new images, and detailed information, as well as collect scientific data on issues related to the origins of the Solar System, Earth, and life.
The Rashid rover was launched aboard Hakuto-R, a Japanese lunar lander. This lander was propelled into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA.
After the launch, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated that Rashid is part of the UAE’s ambitious space program, which began with Mars, progressed to the Moon, and is soon set to target Venus.
In September 2022, MBRSC signed an agreement with the China National Space Administration to conduct joint explorations, including sending the next UAE rover aboard the Chang’e 7 mission to land on the Moon, scheduled for 2026.
