MBRSC finalises Rashid Rover 2 development, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s lunar exploration programme.
DUBAI: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has successfully completed the development of Rashid Rover 2, the UAE’s second lunar rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission, following extensive environmental and functional testing conducted within the country.
This next-generation rover has now been shipped to the United States to begin pre-launch integration with Firefly Aerospace, the partner tasked with delivering it to the far side of the Moon in 2026. The launch will represent a major milestone in the UAE’s growing space ambitions.
Earlier this year, a strategic agreement between MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace was formalised in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The agreement will see Rashid Rover 2 carried aboard a Firefly lunar lander.
Chairman of MBRSC, Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, stated that the rover’s completion reflects the UAE’s rapid advancements in space technology and science. “Each milestone brings us closer to shaping a sustainable and knowledge-driven space future for generations to come,” he said.
Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, emphasised that this achievement underscores the UAE’s commitment to pushing the limits of lunar science. “This is a decisive step in advancing our ambitions for lunar exploration,” he noted.
Dr. Hamad AlMarzooqi, Project Manager for the Emirates Lunar Mission, described the tests as “a crucial step” in preparing the rover for its demanding journey. He affirmed that Rashid Rover 2 is now fully prepared for the next phase of its mission development.
The Emirates Lunar Mission is funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), underlining the UAE’s broader commitment to innovation and international collaboration in space science.
