Latest news with #MBRSC
Broadcast Pro
13-06-2025
- Science
- Broadcast Pro
MBRSC launches Career Camp to inspire future Emirati talent
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the launch of its Career Camp, inviting Emirati high school students across the UAE to register for a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the dynamic world of space, science, and corporate functioning. Scheduled to take place from July 1 to 11, 2025, at the MBRSC headquarters in Al Khawaneej, the camp is designed to prepare students for their future educational and professional paths in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and corporate sector. Open to motivated students with a keen interest in space sciences, engineering, technology, and organisational functions, the camp provides a blend of exposure, learning, and inspiration. Through interactive sessions and hands-on experiences, participants will explore the various departments of MBRSC, learn about real-world applications of STEM, and understand the key functions that support the Centres operations. The camp aligns with MBRSCs commitment to nurturing national talent and creating pathways for youth to contribute meaningfully to the UAEs growing space and innovation landscape. To register, students must send their CV to careercamp@ before June 20, 2025.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Musk vs Trump: Elon Musk fan Ian Miles Cheon asks him to move space program to UAE
Image generated by AI for creative and illustrative purposes only There's always one tweet that distills geopolitical fantasy into 280 characters. This time, it came from Elon Musk loyalist Ian Miles Cheong: 'Elon Musk should simply move his entire SpaceX operation to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE stands at the forefront of technological progress and mankind's ascent to the stars.' The idea sounds far-fetched. But it also speaks to something very real: the UAE's growing ambition to become a serious player in the global space race, just as Musk finds himself increasingly disillusioned with Washington, and estranged from his on-again-off-again political ally, Donald Trump. A Rift at the Edge of Orbit The Musk–Trump relationship, once a spectacle of anti-establishment synergy, has hit turbulence. Musk, long the poster boy for public-private innovation, turned sharply against Trump's latest bloated federal spending bill, calling it a 'disgusting abomination.' Trump, ever retaliatory, suggested the US could save 'billions' by cutting off Musk's federal contracts. In MAGA-speak, that's a declaration of war. As Tesla and X stocks tanked, erasing over $150 billion in market value, Musk threatened to decommission the Dragon capsule, the spacecraft that connects Earth to the International Space Station. That post came just minutes after Trump floated cancelling SpaceX subsidies. For a brief moment, the world's most influential entrepreneur looked ready to break orbit, not just from Earth, but from America. That's when the UAE entered the chat. A Desert with Dreams of the Stars While the Musk-Trump bromance combusts on X, the United Arab Emirates has been quietly, and not so quietly, building the infrastructure of a spacefaring nation. The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai is now home to a replica Falcon 9 booster, a symbolic tribute to Musk's engineering triumph. In 2020, the UAE launched its Hope probe to Mars, making it the first Arab nation to embark on an interplanetary mission. It reached Martian orbit in 2021. Unlike many space programs that began with Cold War posturing, the UAE's ambitions are rooted in a long-term economic and technological vision. Its Mars 2117 project imagines a human settlement on the Red Planet within a century. The country has invested heavily in satellite tech, astronaut training (two UAE astronauts have now flown to space), and international partnerships with NASA , Roscosmos, and JAXA. And most crucially, it has money. Oil money. Sovereign wealth fund money. The kind of money that could theoretically bankroll a massive SpaceX relocation, if only US export laws allowed it. Reality Check: Can Musk Really Move? While the fantasy of a SpaceX launch site in Abu Dhabi sparks excitement, it hits a hard wall named ITAR, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Aerospace technology like Falcon rockets and Dragon capsules is tightly controlled by the US government, especially because of SpaceX's work with NASA and the Pentagon. Relocating operations overseas would require navigating a minefield of national security laws, intellectual property battles, and contract obligations. Then there's the infrastructure: SpaceX's launch pads in Florida and Texas, its Starlink deployment network, and its deep entanglement with the US military-industrial complex. Even for someone as unpredictable as Musk, uprooting an entire space ecosystem is more fever dream than flight plan. But what is serious, and worth watching, is how quickly the idea caught fire. Because when powerful partnerships fall apart, when the emperor of disruption turns on the emperor of MAGA, imagination fills the vacuum. And the UAE, with its deep pockets and deeper ambitions, is perfectly poised to be the world's favourite hypothetical. A Marriage of Convenience, Deorbited The collapse of the Musk-Trump dynamic is more than just a tech billionaire breaking up with a former President. It symbolises the end of a political alliance that once seemed like the future of American populism. Musk was the brains, Trump the brawn. Their combined disdain for bureaucracy made them the heroes of a Silicon Valley–meets–Talk Radio voter base. But now? Trump accuses Musk of 'losing it' after his subsidies began to vanish. Musk retaliates by quoting House Republicans and teasing a centrist third party. Their shared fantasy of dismantling the 'deep state' has devolved into petty poll wars and social media jabs. And in that vacuum, the UAE has emerged, not as a saviour, but as a symbol of what a forward-looking, well-funded, and ideologically agnostic space agenda might look like. Between Hope and Hype The truth is, Elon Musk isn't moving to the Emirates anytime soon. But the fact that people think he could is a testament to what the UAE has managed to build, credibility. In the span of two decades, it has gone from oil-rich sandbox to serious contender in the celestial stakes. Its universities are training aerospace engineers. Its astronauts are flying with NASA. Its space centre has a waiting list for international collaborations. So, while the Dragon capsule remains on US soil, the battle for the future of space may not be limited to the US, Russia, and China anymore. The UAE is still in the early innings, but it's playing to win. And as for Musk and Trump? Their Cold War is far from over. But in the echoes of that fallout, a new contender has quietly entered the arena, bathed in desert light, aiming for the stars.
Gulf Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Hamdan witnesses signing of deal between MBRSC, Firefly Aerospace for Emirates Lunar Mission
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and President of MBRSC, witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Firefly Aerospace, under which the latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the moon. The signing was held at Emirates Towers. Under the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2, in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace's second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA. Sheikh Hamdan said, "The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon places our nation among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration. Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space, but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe. The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions.' "We are committed to shaping a sustainable space industry ecosystem that fosters innovation, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and supports the continued growth of the UAE's scientific and technological leadership. Through missions like these, the UAE is set to further strengthen its position in the global space sector as a major player in expanding the horizons of discovery,' Sheikh Hamdan added. Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President, MBRSC, said, "We are grateful to Sheikh Hamdan for his steadfast support of MBRSC's endeavours, which continues to be instrumental in driving our progress. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the UAE's leadership, whose vision and unwavering commitment to innovation have enabled the nation to play an increasingly strategic role in global space exploration.' He added, "As the UAE prepares to go to the moon and explore its far side through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, we continue to demonstrate our capacity to transform vision into reality. It further strengthens the UAE's standing as a committed partner in global space exploration and underscores our contribution to shaping the future of scientific discovery beyond Earth.' Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, said, "The signing of this strategic agreement reflects our nation's commitment to investing in long-term scientific advancement, building advanced national capabilities, and forging impactful global partnerships. The Emirates Lunar Mission embodies this forward-looking vision, which is driven by a desire to contribute to humanity's collective understanding of the Moon, and to support the development of future lunar infrastructure and deep space initiatives." "As we pursue ever more ambitious endeavours with the support of our leadership, we remain focused on positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global scientific community and a source of innovation for future generations.' Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said, "On the heels of Firefly's flawless moon landing and operations, our team is looking forward to collaborating with the UAE and further expanding our representation of Artemis Accords nations on this groundbreaking mission to the far side of the Moon. We're honoured to support the international space community with our versatile Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft that can stack together to provide unique access to both lunar orbit and the lunar surface.' Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said, "The strategic agreement signed with Firefly Aerospace marks a significant advancement in the UAE's growing role in shaping the future of lunar exploration. Through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, the UAE will become one of the few nations to explore the far side of the Moon. The mission will deliver valuable scientific data on the lunar surface, plasma environment, and dust behaviour-contributing to global knowledge and supporting future lunar infrastructure development. As we prepare for this historic milestone, we remain dedicated to expanding the UAE's contributions to humanity's long-term presence in space.' MBRSC has outlined a set of ambitious scientific goals for the Rashid 2 Rover, which will demonstrate lunar surface mobility on the far side of the moon, where terrain and communication pose greater challenges than the near side. As part of the mission, the rover will undergo the material adhesion determination experiment, using various materials on its wheels to evaluate their durability against lunar dust. The findings can inform the design of future technologies such as spacesuits, habitats, and other critical infrastructure. Equipped with multiple cameras and scientific probes, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon's plasma environment, geology, and thermal conditions. It will also investigate the properties of lunar soil, surface structure temperatures, and the lunar photoelectron sheath, which will provide valuable insights to support future in-situ resource utilisation and advance further exploration of deep space. The rover will further carry a radio transmitter to communicate with other payloads during the mission. The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a pivotal part of the broader space exploration strategy under the UAE's National Space Programme, that prioritises the advancement of scientific knowledge, the empowerment of future generations, and the strengthening of international cooperation. WAM
Economy ME
23-05-2025
- Science
- Economy ME
UAE's MBRSC, Firefly Aerospace partner to deploy Rashid 2 Rover to far side of moon
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) signed a strategic agreement with Firefly Aerospace, under which the latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid 2 Rover under the Emirates Lunar Mission to the far side of the moon. The signing was held at Emirates Towers in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and President of MBRSC. 'The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon places our nation among a select group of countries advancing the frontiers of lunar exploration. Our objective is not only to reach new destinations in space, but to generate meaningful knowledge that contributes to humanity's understanding of the universe. The agreement with Firefly Aerospace reflects our strategy of forging strategic global collaborations that advance our long-term scientific and space technology ambitions,' stated Sheikh Hamdan. Rashid 2 Rover to join Blue Ghost Mission 2 in 2026 Under the strategic agreement, the Rashid 2 Rover will be deployed to the far side of the Moon on Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The Rashid 2 Rover will join Blue Ghost Mission 2 in 2026, which will be Firefly Aerospace's second lunar mission, alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. 'We are committed to shaping a sustainable space industry ecosystem that fosters innovation, facilitates international knowledge exchange, and supports the continued growth of the UAE's scientific and technological leadership. Through missions like these, the UAE is set to further strengthen its position in the global space sector as a major player in expanding the horizons of discovery,' Sheikh Hamdan added. Findings to inform design of future technologies MBRSC has outlined a set of ambitious scientific goals for the Rashid 2 Rover, which will demonstrate lunar surface mobility on the far side of the moon, where terrain and communication pose greater challenges than the near side. As part of the mission, the rover will undergo the material adhesion determination experiment, using various materials on its wheels to evaluate their durability against lunar dust. The findings can inform the design of future technologies such as spacesuits, habitats and other critical infrastructure. 'As the UAE prepares to go to the moon and explore its far side through the Emirates Lunar Mission's Rashid 2 Rover, we continue to demonstrate our capacity to transform vision into reality. It further strengthens the UAE's standing as a committed partner in global space exploration and underscores our contribution to shaping the future of scientific discovery beyond Earth,' Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, vice president of MBRSC, said. Rashid 2 Rover to study moon's environment Equipped with multiple cameras and scientific probes, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon's plasma environment, geology and thermal conditions. It will also investigate the properties of lunar soil, surface structure temperatures and the lunar photoelectron sheath, which will provide valuable insights to support future in-situ resource utilization and advance further exploration of deep space. The rover will further carry a radio transmitter to communicate with other payloads during the mission. 'On the heels of Firefly's flawless moon landing and operations, our team is looking forward to collaborating with the UAE and further expanding our representation of Artemis Accords nations on this groundbreaking mission to the far side of the Moon. We're honored to support the international space community with our versatile Blue Ghost and Elytra spacecraft that can stack together to provide unique access to both lunar orbit and the lunar surface,' stated Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. Read: UAE, U.S. unveil 'Stargate UAE' as largest AI campus outside America in Abu Dhabi Emirates Lunar Mission advances The Emirates Lunar Mission forms a pivotal part of the broader space exploration strategy under the UAE's National Space Program, which prioritizes the advancement of scientific knowledge, the empowerment of future generations and the strengthening of international cooperation. 'The Emirates Lunar Mission embodies our forward-looking vision, which is driven by a desire to contribute to humanity's collective understanding of the Moon, and to support the development of future lunar infrastructure and deep space initiatives. As we pursue ever more ambitious endeavours with the support of our leadership, we remain focused on positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global scientific community and a source of innovation for future generations,' stated Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC.
Dubai Eye
23-05-2025
- Science
- Dubai Eye
UAE confirms launch partner for far side moon mission
The UAE's mission to explore the far side of the Moon has taken a major step forward. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has witnessed the signing of a key agreement between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and US-based Firefly Aerospace. Under the deal, Firefly will provide the lunar lander for the Emirates Lunar Mission, which will carry the UAE's Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon in 2026. The rover will be part of Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 2, alongside payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency and Australia. Sheikh Hamdan said the mission reinforces the UAE's commitment to advancing lunar science and contributing valuable knowledge to global space research. Rashid 2 will study the Moon's terrain, plasma environment and thermal conditions, and will test material resilience against lunar dust - data crucial for future exploration technologies. The mission supports the UAE's broader National Space Programme, aimed at driving innovation, empowering youth, and strengthening international partnerships in the space sector. — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) May 22, 2025
