The UAE is set to make another giant leap in space exploration with the launch of Rashid Rover 2 in 2026, marking the country’s second mission to the Moon and its first attempt to land on the far side of the lunar surface.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, announced the milestone on Thursday following the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace.
“I witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between MBRSC and US-based Firefly Aerospace to provide the payload delivery services for the Rashid 2 Rover,” Sheikh Hamdan posted on X.
“The mission is set to make the UAE only the second country in history to attempt a landing on the Moon’s far side, placing the nation at the forefront of space exploration.”
The Rashid 2 Rover will be delivered to the Moon aboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander, which will be stacked on the company’s Elytra Dark orbital vehicle.
“Driven by the talent of our youth, the UAE’s journey in space reflects the same ambition and excellence that define our progress on Earth,” he said.
The Emirates Lunar Mission 2 follows the UAE’s first attempt to land on the Moon in 2023 with Rashid Rover 1, which was carried aboard Japan’s ispace Hakuto-R lander but failed to land successfully. The upcoming mission underscores the UAE’s determination to push forward in its long-term space strategy.