The UAE will mark the anniversary of the first human spaceflight on Saturday, continuing its significant contributions to space exploration led by its qualified national workforce and ambitious youth.
This year’s anniversary highlights the UAE’s emergence as a leading space exploration success story in the Arab and regional spheres. Its accomplishments include groundbreaking projects and the development of a skilled generation of astronauts, administrators and technical personnel.
UAE to fly first Emirati and Arab astronaut to lunar orbit
The UAE achieved a historic milestone in the first quarter of this year by launching six satellites: Thuraya 4, MBZ-SAT, Al Ain Sat-1, HCT-SAT 1, the second phase of Foresight Constellation, and Etihad-SAT.
Recent milestones also include February’s agreement between Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) and Thales Alenia Space. Under the agreement, Thales Alenia Space will be a strategic partner in the development of the Pressure Equalisation Unit of the Gateway Lunar Space Station.
The UAE’s participation in this project signifies a major step in its strategy to establish a prominent global presence in space science and technology. The UAE joined the Gateway project in January 2024 alongside the U.S., Japan, Canada, and the European Union, and announced its intent to send the first Emirati and Arab astronaut to lunar orbit.
Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt marks key milestone
Furthermore, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt has achieved a significant milestone by completing the Critical Design Review (CDR) between the 24th and 26th of February 2025, paving the way for the assembly, integration and testing of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Explorer.
In March, MBRSC also invited Emirati citizens aged 30-55 with backgrounds in engineering, technology, or healthcare and English proficiency to participate in future analog studies as part of the UAE Analog Program. These studies aim to investigate the effects of isolation and confinement on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics.
In February, the Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe sent the first image of the Red Planet. Since reaching Mars’ orbit in February 2021, the Hope Probe has provided 12 scientific data packages, totalling 5.4 terabytes, freely shared with 200 scientific and research institutions globally.
First spacewalk by an Arab astronaut
In 2019, astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori became the first Emirati to fly to space during a short mission to the International Space Station (ISS), during which time he collaborated with NASA to perform experiments and educational outreach.
A second Emirati astronaut, Dr. Sultan AlNeyadi, who was recently appointed the UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, launched to the ISS in 2023 as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Mission, leading scientific research to advance human knowledge and improve life on Earth.
His six-month tenure aboard the ISS marked the Arab world’s first long-duration space mission; he also conducted the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut.
Two first-time astronaut candidates from the UAE, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla, also recently completed their training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and received their NASA astronaut pins.
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Artemis Accords signed
In 2020, the UAE and the U.S. were among the original signers of the Artemis Accords, which are practical principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s 21st-century lunar exploration programme.
The event comprised a series of discussions featuring senior government officials from the U.S. and UAE space sectors. Participants included Emirati astronauts and experts from both countries. The event was attended by diplomats, current and former U.S. government officials, scientists and business executives.
