MBR Explorer

Last updated

The MBR Explorer is a planned uncrewed spacecraft proposed under the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. [1] [2] It is named in recognition of the foundational role driving the creation and growth of the UAE Space Program played by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and the prime minister of UAE. [3]

The mission to explore the asteroid belt was announced by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency in May 2023, and the launch is planned for March 2028. [4] [5] [6]

The spacecraft will weigh around 2.8 tonnes and will travel at an average speed of 33,000 km/h. [7]

The MBR Explorer will visit seven asteroids: 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, (88055) 2000 VA28, (23871) 1998 RC76, (59980) 1999 SG6, in a 5-billion-kilometre total journey, [3] [8] and will attempt to land on its final asteroid, 269 Justitia in 2034. [7]

The spacecraft will also drop off a small lander to set down on Justitia's surface. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space exploration</span> Exploration of space, planets, and moons

Space exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. While the exploration of space is currently carried out mainly by astronomers with telescopes, its physical exploration is conducted both by uncrewed robotic space probes and human spaceflight. Space exploration, like its classical form astronomy, is one of the main sources for space science.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the United Arab Emirates</span> Aspect of history

The United Arab Emirates is a country in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The UAE consists of seven emirates and was founded on 2 December 1971 as a federation, after UK armed forces left the region. Six of the seven emirates declared their union on 2 December 1971. The seventh, Ras al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972. The seven sheikdoms were formerly known as the Trucial States, in reference to the truce treaties established with the British in the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">269 Justitia</span> Main-belt asteroid

Justitia is a fairly sizeable main belt asteroid around 50 km in diameter

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity in the United Arab Emirates</span>

According to the 2005 census, Christians accounted for 9 percent of the total population of the United Arab Emirates; estimates in 2010 suggested a figure of 12.6%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–United Arab Emirates relations</span> Bilateral relations

China – United Arab Emirates relations refer to the diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1984. The UAE maintains an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Hong Kong while China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate-general in Dubai. The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre</span> Dubai government entity

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is a Dubai government organisation working on the UAE space programme, which includes various space satellite projects, the Emirates Mars Mission, the Emirates Lunar Mission, and the UAE astronaut programme. The centre actively works to promote space science and research in the region. The centre encompasses the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST).

The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) is the space agency of the United Arab Emirates government responsible for the development of the country's space industry. It was created in 2014 and is responsible for developing and regulating the space sector in the UAE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emirates Mars Mission</span> Space exploration probe mission to Mars

The Emirates Mars Mission is a United Arab Emirates Space Agency uncrewed space exploration mission to Mars. The Hope probe was launched on 19 July 2020, and went into orbit around Mars on 9 February 2021.

Arada is a property development company based in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Al Amiri</span> Emirati scientist and minister

Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri is the Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Schools Establishment. She is the former Minister of State for Advanced Technology within the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the government of the United Arab Emirates. Al Amiri is also the chair of the UAE Space Agency and the United Arab Emirates Council of Scientists, and Deputy Project Manager of the Emirates Mars Mission.

Beresheet 2 is a planned private space mission intended to land two spacecraft on the Moon in 2025. As the spacecraft reaches the Moon, it will split into three: the mothership (orbiter) and two landers that will be released for landing at different locations on the Moon. The orbiter will continue to orbit the Moon on a long-term multi-year mission. This will be the first-ever dual lander deployment mission, with the smallest landers to ever soft-land on the Moon. The Beresheet2 Orbiter will give many students worldwide the opportunity to learn the basics of space engineering and participate in deep-space science. Through its innovative design, Beresheet2 Orbiter will serve as the first-ever – worldwide interactive space education system. The project will include multiple educational activities for all ages and an outreach program that will connect and push these messages to the public in the partnering countries.

Tianwen-2 is a planned Chinese asteroid sample return and comet exploration mission that is currently under development. Tianwen-2 was originally known as ZhengHe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emirates Lunar Mission</span> United Arab Emirates Lunar Mission

The Emirates Lunar Mission was the first mission to the Moon from the United Arab Emirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates</span> Church in the United Arab Emirates

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The church's first self-standing meetinghouse in the Middle East was dedicated in Abu Dhabi in 2013. As of 2021, there are four meetinghouses and six congregations. In April 2020, the intent to construct a temple in Dubai was announced.

References

  1. ↑ "UAE announces space mission to land MBR Explorer on asteroid 5 billion kilometres away". Arabian Business. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Touring Through the Asteroid Belt: United Arab Emirates Unveils Bold Mission". SpaceRef. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Arabian spacecraft to search asteroid belt for clues to life's origins". ABC News. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  4. ↑ Foust, Jeff (3 June 2023). "UAE outlines plans for asteroid mission". SpaceNews . Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. 1 2 Kenneth Chang (May 29, 2023). "The United Arab Emirates Is Heading for the Asteroid Belt". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ Sarwat Nasir (May 29, 2023). "MBR Explorer: UAE unveils details of its mission to the main asteroid belt". The National . Abu Dhabi.
  7. 1 2 "MBR Explorer: All about UAE's new space mission to Asteroid Belt". Gulf News. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  8. ↑ "Ambitious Emirati Mission Seeks to Visit 7 Asteroids and Land on the Big Red One". Gizmodo. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-06-08.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.