A diminutive space spider will carry Britain's hopes of completing its maiden rover mission to the Moon this year.
Private company Spacebit has built a 1.5-kilogram rover called Asagumo, a four-legged robot that will be able to “walk” on the lunar surface.
It will be the first of three Moon missions the company hopes to launch this decade, including a “mother rover” with wheels and then a swarm of Asagumo robots that would explore the lunar lava caves.
“The first mission is a technology testing and demonstration,” Pavlo Tanasyuk, Spacebit’s founder, told The National.
“The primary objective for the first mission is to travel 10 metres, however we hope to move for at least 100 metres.
“Yet, even 10 will mean that the mission is successful. The on-surface phase of the first mission will last for one lunar day — 14 Earth days.”
The rover is relying on a US-built spacecraft called Peregrine, built by private company Astrobotic, to safely land on the Moon.
The mission will be launched into space on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket.
The launch was already delayed once in 2021, and it is hoped it will take place this year but that will depend on whether the rocket is ready in time.
“There is a chance that our robot will survive the lunar night. In that case, the mission will be extended and the robot will walk a longer distance,” Mr Tanasyuk said.
“That, however, also depends on whether the Astrobotic’s lander will survive the lunar night.
A step closer to life on the Moon
“In our first Asagumo mission, we are going to be transmitting information through the lander. If the lander does not survive, we will be unable to obtain information on whether our rover survived.
“Unlike the following missions where we’ll be transmitting and obtaining information through our Mother rover.”
The ultimate goal of the Asagumo rover missions is to explore lunar lava caves formed by volcanic activity billions of years ago.
It is believed that these caves could possibly be used a human base, sheltering humans from radiation, unstable temperatures and meteoroids.
Lava caves on the Moon are up to 1,000 metres deep and are much larger than those found on Earth, such as caves in Australia and Hawaii.
The Asagumo rover will use its temperature and radiation sensors and multispectral camera to measure charged particles, radiation doses and lunar surface temperatures.
“Thanks to Spacebit, the UK might become the first ever state to explore the lunar lava tubes and make an indeed significant step towards humanity living on the lunar surface,” Mr Tanasyuk said.
“Such projects, although carried out by privately-held companies, build the image of the whole nation. And we’re extremely proud and pleased to be one of the drivers.
“We believe our example will help the UK's space sector to attract more investment, engage young prominent professionals, and make the UK one of the world’s leading space economies.”
UK space sector on the rise
The UK’s space sector is picking up momentum after a new national space strategy was launched last year to position Britain as a top space nation.
This includes investing an additional £1.4 billion ($1.88bn) into developing new capabilities, as well as supporting space businesses.
Under the new strategy, the government plans to become the top provider of commercial small satellite launches in Europe by 2030.
“As we enter an exciting new space age, we have bold ambitions for the UK to be at the vanguard of this industry in our role as a science superpower,” said George Freeman, the UK’s science and innovation minister, when the strategy was announced in 2021.
“Whether that’s launching the first satellite from British soil or leading major international space missions to help combat climate change.”
It is hoped that small satellites will be launched from a UK spaceport for the first sometime time this year.
They would be carried into orbit from Scotland’s Sutherland vertical launch site, aboard the Prime rocket being built by UK start-up company Orbex.
Upcoming spaceports in Scotland — in pictures
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
HWJN
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%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
Scoreline
Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
Arsenal 1
Bellerin 52'
Company%20Profile
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Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Kandahar%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Factfile on Garbine Muguruza:
Name: Garbine Muguruza (ESP)
World ranking: 15 (will rise to 5 on Monday)
Date of birth: October 8, 1993
Place of birth: Caracas, Venezuela
Place of residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Height: 6ft (1.82m)
Career singles titles: 4
Grand Slam titles: 2 (French Open 2016, Wimbledon 2017)
Career prize money: $13,928,719
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20Kitchen
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Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
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