Rashid 2 Rover will launch in 2026.
The UAE is reaching for the stars once again, this time with its eyes firmly set on the far side of the moon. In a landmark announcement, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), revealed the nation’s latest lunar ambition: the launch of the Rashid 2 Rover, scheduled for 2026.
This mission marks the next chapter in the Emirates Lunar Mission programme and reaffirms the UAE’s growing presence in space exploration. Building on the legacy of the original Rashid Rover, which made headlines in 2023 but failed to land successfully, Rashid 2 will attempt to conquer new ground—quite literally—by exploring the moon’s lesser-known far side.
The far side of the moon presents unique challenges in communication, navigation, and terrain. Undeterred, the UAE is ready to rise to the occasion. Equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and scientific instruments, the Rashid 2 Rover will study the moon’s geology, surface composition, temperature, soil structure, and even its plasma environment.
Designed with innovation in mind, the rover boasts an upgraded structure and wheels engineered to better withstand abrasive lunar dust. A powerful onboard radio transmitter will also allow for clearer, more reliable communication throughout the mission.
Transport to the moon will be handled by Firefly Aerospace, with Rashid 2 set to journey aboard the Blue Ghost lunar lander, itself mounted on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. This will be Firefly’s second lunar mission, following the success of its debut launch. The partnership between MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace is part of a broader strategic agreement aimed at furthering the UAE’s space science ambitions.
“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,” Sheikh Hamdan shared during the announcement.
While more technical and logistical details are expected to be revealed as the 2026 launch approaches, one thing is clear: the UAE’s cosmic journey is only just beginning. As space becomes the next frontier for innovation and collaboration, the Emirates is proving it has both the vision and the drive to lead the charge.
GO: Visit www.mbrsc.ae for more information.