The UAE Space Agency has held discussions with Nasa about sending astronauts back to the Moon's surface within this decade.
The two agencies discussed the Artemis programme, human spaceflight, climate change research and planetary science.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, met Nasa’s deputy administrator Pam Melroy on the sidelines of a major space conference in Dubai on Tuesday.
“It was an honour to meet with Sarah Al Amiri and leaders from the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, our hosts for the International Astronautical Congress,” Ms Melroy said.
It was an honour to meet with Sarah Al Amiri and leaders from the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, our hosts for the International Astronautical Congress
Pam Melroy,
Nasa
“We discussed human space flight, climate change research, Nasa’s Artemis, planetary science and the future.”
UAE astronauts have previously expressed an interest in joining the Artemis programme.
Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab female astronaut, and Mohammed Al Mulla said they were keen on becoming part of the programme at a press conference earlier this year.
Through the Artemis programme, Nasa aims to send the first woman and next man to the lunar surface by 2024.
The long-term plan is to build a lunar-orbiting space station, called Lunar Gateway, and use the Moon as a base, so the first astronauts can go to Mars from there.
Nasa hopes to launch a flight without crew to the Moon in February, sending its Orion spacecraft aboard the Space Launch System — one of the world’s most powerful rockets — around the lunar orbit.
The UAE has expanded its partnership with Nasa in the past few years. It signed the Artemis Accords for responsible lunar exploration last year and an agreement on training four Emirati astronauts at Nasa’s space centre in Houston.
Mike Gold, the former acting associate administrator for Nasa's Office of International and Interagency Relations, told The National then in an exclusive interview that the UAE’s signing of the accords would pave the way for sending the first Emirati to the Moon.
“The UAE can, and we hope will, become a strong and robust partner in the Artemis programme,” said Mr Gold, referring to the project that seeks to establish a human base on the Moon.
“We look forward to collaborating not only on lunar rovers, but on other forms of science and orbiters, and eventually human space flight as well. The UAE is not only ambitious, but it follows ambitions with funding and actions, which is why they are such an excellent partner for us to join in this unprecedented journey of discovery.”
Nasa’s Artemis programme and the Lunar Gateway have attracted many international partnerships.
A Canadian astronaut is part of the Artemis 2 flight, which would be the first flight that returns a man and the first woman to lunar orbit since the Apollo missions.
The European Space Agency is building the International Habitation module for the gateway, while Japan has agreed to provide life support capabilities and additional space for crew on the module.
Apart from sending Emirati astronauts to the Moon, there are also opportunities for the UAE to enhance its engineering capabilities under the Artemis programme.
The International Astronautical Congress is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre until October 29.
Heads of space agencies, policymakers and private space companies are attending the event, which is being hosted by an Arab country for the first time since it began in 1950.
The UAE Space Agency also held meetings with the Indian Space Agency, Brazil and Luxembourg on Tuesday.
UAE astronauts at Expo's Space Week: in pictures
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
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Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Racecard
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EPL's youngest
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Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
