Sheikh Hamdan announces UAE’s next moon mission set for 2026

The project will be carried out in partnership with Firefly Aerospace, a US-based company that will provide the payload delivery services. The rover will be deployed using Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander, stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle, as part of a strategic agreement between the two entities.

This mission will see the UAE attempt to land on the far side of the Moon – a feat achieved by only one other country. If successful, it would position the UAE among a select group of nations with the capability to explore the most remote regions of the lunar surface.

Sheikh Hamdan shared the news via his social media channels, highlighting the UAE’s ongoing commitment to space innovation. He described the mission as a reflection of the country’s ambition and scientific progress, and a way to inspire a new generation of Emirati talent in the space sector.

The Rashid Rover 2 will build on the lessons learned from the UAE’s first lunar mission, incorporating technological advancements and refined engineering. The mission will also contribute to global lunar research, providing valuable data on the far side of the Moon, an area that remains largely unexplored.

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