UAE Dubai: Lunar transportation service contract with ispace: Exploration rover “Rashid”
-The decisive factor is “technical power”-
Japan’s ispace:
On April 14, it was announced that it had signed a transportation service contract with UAE Dubai MBRSC.
UAE Dubai Space Agency: MBRSC (Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center)
ispace lunar exploration plan:
ispace plans to implement its own lunar exploration program (Mission 1) in 2022.
MBRSC’s lunar exploration rover “Rashid” will be mounted on this lander and transported to the lunar surface.
UAE MBRSC:
recent years,
Earth observation satellite “KhalifaSat” and
Mars probe “HOPE”,
Succeeded in launching with the H-IIA rocket, deepening its relationship with Japan in the space field.
Lunar Exploration Planning Manager/
Dr. Hamad Al Marzooqi:
Lander’s high technology and
From compatibility with rover etc.
Commented that he chose ispace.
We expected a new cooperative relationship.
SpaceX / Falcon 9:
The ispace lander will be launched by the US SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
There is space to carry up to two rover, one of which will be equipped with Rashid.
The shipping price is not disclosed.
TECH +
https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210415-1872045/
MBRSC Teams Up with Japan’s ispace on Emirates Lunar Mission 14 Apr, 2021
■ Emirates Lunar Mission’s ‘Rashid’ rover to go to the Moon on ispace’s Mission 1 in 2022[1]
■ ispace to provide payload delivery, and communication and power services for the rover
■ Agreement further strengthens UAE-Japan collaboration in space exploration
Dubai, UAE,
14 April 2021:
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
has signed a contract with Japan’s ispace, inc. (ispace), under which the latter will provide payload delivery services for the ambitious Emirates Lunar Mission.
Under this agreement,
ispace
becomes a key strategic and implementation partner to MBRSC on the Emirates Lunar Mission, the first of its kind from the Arab world.
The ‘Rashid’ rover
will be transported to the Moon on ispace’s lunar lander during the company’s ‘Mission 1’ in 2022[1] as part of its commercial programme known as ‘HAKUTO-R’.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Japanese lunar exploration company
will deliver the Emirates Lunar Mission’s ‘Rashid’ rover to the Moon,
provide wired communication
and power during the cruise phase,
and engage in wireless communication on the lunar surface.
The project is a key part of the UAE’s space exploration strategy,
which is centred around building new knowledge capabilities, inspiring future generations to pursue space science and research, and fostering global collaboration.
Upon the execution of the mission, the UAE and Japan, together,
are anticipated to be the next two nations to successfully put a spacecraft on the lunar surface, following the United States, Russia and China.
ispace