DUBAI:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially launched an ambitious project to send a spacecraft to the main asteroid belt, marking a new era in Arab space exploration. The 10-year mission, set to begin in 2028, aims to study six asteroids and ultimately land on one — a feat accomplished by only a handful of nations.
From Mars to the Asteroids: UAE’s Expanding Space Goals
The mission, known as the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), builds on the success of the UAE’s Hope Probe, which has been orbiting Mars since 2021. According to the UAE Space Agency, this new project will explore the origins of the solar system and gather crucial data about asteroid compositions.
“This is about science, exploration, and national ambition,” said Sarah Al Amiri, Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency. “We want to position the UAE as a leader in deep space missions.”
What the Mission Involves
The EMA spacecraft will travel over 5 billion kilometers through space and study six different asteroids, using advanced instruments to analyze their surface, structure, and composition.
The final destination is asteroid (269) Justitia, a rare red-hued object believed to contain prebiotic compounds — the building blocks of life.
Why It Matters
Asteroids are considered time capsules from the early solar system. By studying them, scientists hope to learn more about planet formation, water origins, and even potential mining opportunities for rare minerals in the future.
The UAE joins the ranks of NASA
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