What Happened
UAE Space Programme Expands With Ambitious Asteroid Exploration
The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, a major long-term investment in the UAE’s space sector, is progressing towards its planned launch in Q1 2028. The mission, which aims to investigate the origins and evolution of water-rich asteroids, has achieved significant milestones, including the development of the UAE-developed EMA Lander. The lander has completed the required technical and environmental tests and is now being prepared for transfer to the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder in the US. The mission involves a broad network of national and international partners, including the Technology Innovation Institute, Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub, and NASA, as reported by SatellitePro ME.