UAE Joins NASA’s Lunar Gateway Project, Plans Moon Mission

The UAE is planning to send the first Emirati and Arab astronaut to the moon, it’s been announced, as President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, attended the launch of the UAE’s participation in the international “Lunar Gateway” project.

Lunar Gateway is a component of the NASA-led Artemis mission to return to the Moon and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars.

The small space station will be a multi-purpose outpost orbiting the Moon, providing essential support for lunar surface missions, a destination for science, and serving as a staging point for further deep space exploration. NASA is working with commercial and international partners to establish the Lunar Gateway, including the European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.

At the launch of the partnership, it was announced the UAE will send the first Emirati and Arab astronaut into lunar orbit, with the ultimate aim of landing the first Emirati on to the moon.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson also announced that the UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will provide the Crew and Science airlock for Lunar Gateway.

“The United States and the United Arab Emirates are marking a historic moment in our nations’ collaboration in space, and the future of human space exploration,” said Nelson. “We are in a new era of exploration through Artemis — strengthened by the peaceful and international exploration of space. The UAE’s provision of the airlock to Gateway will allow astronauts to conduct groundbreaking science in deep space and prepare to one day send humanity to Mars.”

In addition to operating the airlock, MBRSC also will provide engineering support for the life of the lunar space station. The airlock will allow crew and science research transfers to and from the habitable environment of Gateway’s pressurised crew modules to the vacuum of space. These transfers will support broader science in the deep space environment, as well as Gateway maintenance.

Posting on X, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote, “I was pleased to attend with my brother Mohammed bin Rashid the launch of the UAE’s contributions to the historic Lunar Gateway, which will serve as humanity’s first space station around the Moon.

“Through our long-term investment in space exploration and scientific innovation, the UAE is determined to work alongside its international partners to enable collective progress for all.”

In addition to providing the airlock, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will offer engineering support to assist in operating and maintaining the airlock over the lifetime of the Lunar Gateway space station. MBRSC is the UAE's national space agency responsible for space-related programs, missions, and technologies.

The UAE’s participation in the Lunar Gateway project marks an important milestone in the growing space cooperation between the UAE and the United States. The UAE aims to become a leader in space exploration in the coming decades. Contributing critical components to an international space station will provide valuable experience to help achieve this goal.

The Lunar Gateway project itself is a crucial part of NASA's Artemis program to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024. The Lunar Gateway will serve as a staging area for the lunar landing missions and a hub for scientific research and exploration of deep space. With multiple countries and space agencies collaborating on the Lunar Gateway, it signifies a new era of international cooperation in space.

Emirati Astronaut to Join Lunar Orbital Mission

The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to send the first Emirati and Arab astronaut into lunar orbit as part of the Lunar Gateway project. The UAE has joined NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024. As part of this partnership, the UAE will provide the airlock module for the Lunar Gateway, a small space station that will orbit the Moon.

The airlock module, provided by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will allow for crew and scientific research equipment to move between the pressurized modules of the Lunar Gateway and the vacuum of space. This capability will enable scientific work in the deep space environment around the Moon as well as spacewalks to conduct maintenance on the Lunar Gateway. In addition to providing the airlock module, MBRSC will offer engineering support to the Lunar Gateway for the duration of its operational lifetime.

The UAE’s participation in the Artemis program and the Lunar Gateway marks a historic moment of cooperation with the United States in space exploration. The Lunar Gateway will serve as a staging point for future crewed missions to Mars and enable new scientific discoveries. Leadership in the UAE, including President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed a determination to collaborate with international partners to advance space exploration and space-based science and innovation.

Sending an Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit and to the surface of the Moon is a long-term goal of the UAE space program. Providing components for and participating in the Lunar Gateway program will help the UAE achieve its goals of expanding its human spaceflight capabilities and enabling future exploration missions. Cooperation with NASA and other international partners on the Lunar Gateway demonstrates the UAE's commitment to collective progress in space through peaceful exploration and scientific discovery.

The UAE’s contribution of the critical airlock component for the Lunar Gateway space station will allow for groundbreaking scientific research and space exploration.

Providing Access to the Lunar Environment

The airlock, designed and built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will enable the transfer of astronauts and payloads between the pressurized modules of the Lunar Gateway and the vacuum of space. This access is essential for conducting scientific experiments, spacewalks, and maintenance on the exterior of the station.

Enabling Deep Space Science

By providing a portal between the internal and external environments, the UAE’s airlock will facilitate scientific research in the lunar vicinity that would otherwise be impossible. Studies in areas such as astronomy, solar physics, space physics, and planetary science will be enabled by the ability to deploy payloads and instruments outside of the station.

Preparing for Future Exploration

The Lunar Gateway serves as a staging ground for missions to explore the lunar surface and beyond. The UAE’s airlock will be a pivotal component in preparing for those missions by allowing astronauts to practice spacewalks and other activities required for exploration in deep space environments. These experiences will be invaluable for the first human missions to Mars.

The UAE’s contributions to this historic program demonstrate the nation’s long-term vision for space exploration and innovation. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, noted “Through our long-term investment in space exploration and scientific innovation, the UAE is determined to work alongside its international partners to enable collective progress for all.” This partnership with NASA on the Lunar Gateway program is a pivotal step towards achieving this vision and will pave the way for expanded human exploration of deep space, with the ultimate goal of reaching Mars.

The UAE’s role in this international endeavor highlights the nation’s ambitions and progress in space science and technology. By contributing critical components to the Lunar Gateway, the UAE is poised to become a leader in space exploration and help unlock discoveries on and around the Moon. This partnership represents a historic moment of cooperation that will drive innovation and expand the frontiers of human achievement in space.

Conclusion

The UAE’s participation in NASA’s Lunar Gateway project and its ambitious plans to land the first Arab astronaut on the lunar surface cements its status as a pioneer in space exploration. By providing vital components for the space station and engineering expertise, the UAE is poised to make invaluable contributions to humanity’s return to the Moon. The nation’s long-term vision and investment in space science will drive discoveries that benefit all humankind. Together with international partners, the UAE is charting a bold course into the new space age.