A UAE mission to travel to the asteroid belt reached a milestone on Wednesday, when an agreement was signed to provide services for the 2028 launch of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Explorer spacecraft.
The signing of the deal by the UAE Space Agency and Japanese multinational Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and chairman of the Supreme Space Council.
“The UAE's mission to explore Venus and the asteroid belt marks another significant milestone in our space exploration journey, driven by the talent and dedication of Emiratis,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“Our visionary leadership has continuously invested in developing national capabilities, empowering them with the knowledge and skills required for the UAE to continue advancing its successful journey in the space sector.”
He also described the agreement as a strategic step in strengthening the UAE’s standing in the global space sector, adding that it reflects “our ambition to build a future rooted in innovation and knowledge for generations to come”.
“The space sector is a gateway to the future, and investing in it reinforces the UAE's leadership in science and technology,” he added.
What is the asteroid belt mission?
The mission, set for launch in early 2028, will see the Mohammed Bin Rashid Explorer perform close fly-pasts of six asteroids to gather data before landing on the seventh asteroid, Justitia.
It will amount to a 13-year journey over five billion kilometres, with six years dedicated to spacecraft development and seven years for exploring the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Gravity-assisted manoeuvres from Venus, Earth, and Mars will optimise its trajectory for the fly-by campaign, while the first asteroid encounter is expected in February 2030.
The spacecraft will carry four advanced scientific instruments, including a visible camera, a medium-wave infrared spectrometer, a thermal infrared spectrometer, and an infrared camera.
These will measure the surface composition, geology, internal density, temperatures and thermophysical properties of many asteroids to assess the stages of their surface evolution and history and to better identify their water-rich origins.
Academic and hardware development partners are contributing to the mission, including Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the National Space Science and Technology Centre at UAE University.
Sheikh Hamdan also met Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Mr Yamakawa emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral co-operation, working towards shared international space exploration goals, and promoting sustainability in space activities.
Ahmed Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said the agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries represents a milestone in the UAE’s deep space exploration journey.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Explorer – in pictures
How to help
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
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Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
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Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
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The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
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Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
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Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Why seagrass matters
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