Space exploration is taking exciting leaps, particularly with the upcoming Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA). This ambitious project, spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is expected to launch aboard Japan's H3 rocket, marking yet another collaborative milestone between these nations. The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) revealed on October 10, 2023, the selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to provide the launch services for this remarkable mission, set to take off in the first quarter of 2028.
The spacecraft, officially named MBR Explorer after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, is geared up for quite the odyssey. It aims to fly past six main belt asteroids from 2030 to 2033, culminating with the rendezvous with Justitia, the seventh asteroid, by 2034. Interestingly, the plan includes deploying a lander, but many specific details remain veiled, including the spacecraft's mass and mission costs.
Mohsen AlAwadhi, the EMA mission director, expressed enthusiasm about the H3 rocket’s anticipated capabilities, highlighting the importance of MHI's commitment to precision and excellence. "We have high expectations for the H3 launch vehicle, and this partnership signifies not only the UAE’s next step toward deep space but also our confidence in MHI’s technology and expertise," he stated. Iwao Igarashi from MHI echoed this excitement, emphasizing their dedication to ensuring the successful orbit delivery of MBR Explorer, setting the stage for the UAE’s ambitious deep space endeavors.
What’s particularly intriguing about this mission is the UAE’s rapidly advancing space program. Just recently, the agency has kept the public somewhat at bay with limited updates about the MBR Explorer since the mission’s details were initially shared over a year ago. This secrecy only heightens public intrigue around their first asteroid mission.
The EMA mission isn't just the latest project for the UAE; it marks the third time the UAE has enlisted MHI for the job. Previously, MHI’s H-2A rocket successfully launched the Emirates Mars Mission, which put the UAE’s Hope orbiter onto Mars's orbit back in 2020. They also launched KhalifaSat, the nation's first locally-built remote sensing satellite, as part of another H-2A payload back in 2018. The consistent track record strengthens the relationship between UAE’s space agency and MHI, establishing trust for future ventures.
Meanwhile, MHI has ambitions of ramping up its H3 launch operations, which have registered two successes this year, albeit following the rocket’s failed inaugural launch. The next H3 flight is slated for late October, and there's talk of growing the annual launch rate from six to eight. Nobuyuki Shiina, deputy general manager at MHI, spoke at the World Space Business Week conference, hinting at this exciting growth phase for the Japanese firm’s space transportation capabilities.
It's worth noting the importance of international collaboration within the domain of space exploration. This partnership between the UAE and Japan showcases how countries can leverage expertises across borders to achieve shared objectives, especially concerning deep space exploration, which remains one of humanity's greatest frontiers.
The EMA mission stands to not only enrich humanity's knowledge about asteroids but also aims to inspire new generations of scientists and enthusiasts back on Earth. It ties together aspirations of scientific discovery, international cooperation, and technological advancement, pivotal themes as nations vie for new frontiers.
The world watches as these collaborative missions progress, full of hope for what lies beyond our planet. Other similar endeavors are underway, pointing to the growing trend of nations—and even private entities—investing heavily to stake their claim on the future of space exploration. With each passing mission, we inch closer to unraveling the many mysteries of the vast universe.
