UAE’s MBR Explorer Mission On Track to Explore Asteroid Belt

Insider Brief:

• The UAE’s MBR Explorer mission is on track to explore an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter after a three-day review in Abu Dhabi where scientists and engineers assessed the mission’s safety protocols, risks, budget, and schedule.
• The MBR Explorer is set to launch in 2028 and will aim to travel 5 billion kilometres over seven years, exploring seven asteroids and attempting to land on the last one, Justitia.
• Beyond the direct objectives, the mission holds promise for potential future endeavours, including asteroid resource extraction, with the belt estimated to possess minerals worth $700 quintillion

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) MBR Explorer mission is on track to explore an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The mission underwent a three-day review in Abu Dhabi where scientists and engineers gathered to assess its safety protocols, risks, budget, and schedule. The findings of the review confirmed the mission’s feasibility and have green-lit the project to move to the next phase of development.

Named after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the MBR Explorer is slated for launch in 2028. Embarking on a journey spanning 5 billion kilometres over seven years, the spacecraft aims to explore seven asteroids, culminating in an attempted landing on the last one, Justitia.

Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, emphasized the significance of the mission’s final design phase, highlighting its alignment with the nation’s strategic vision and ongoing commitment to scientific advancement.

The mission’s targets include celestial bodies including 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, and others, with Justitia drawing particular interest due to its distinctive reddish hue, a departure from the typical bluish tint observed in most asteroids.

Beyond scientific exploration, the mission holds promise for potential future endeavours, including asteroid resource extraction, with the belt estimated to possess minerals worth $700 quintillion.

Collaboration forms the backbone of this ambitious venture, with UAE companies like 971Space and Sadeem Space Solutions spearheading the spacecraft’s design. The mission also includes several international partnerships with universities and space organizations, including Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the Italian Space Agency.

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