Europe's space chief looks to the UAE for collaborations on Moon exploration
A European satellite that sees beneath the sand could help transform understanding of the Gulf’s desert surfaces. Since launching last year, Biomass has already found old riverbeds and ancient settlements buried under sand and soil around the world. It is one of the space technologies that the head of the European Space Agency will highlight in his first visit to the UAE next week – in his bid to…
European Space Agency (ESA) chief Josef Aschbacher is set to embark on his first visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week, with the aim of strengthening collaborations in Moon exploration and Earth observation. Aschbacher highlighted Biomass, a European satellite that deciphers desert surfaces, as one of the technologies he plans to showcase during his visit. Biomass has previously identified old riverbeds and ancient settlements buried beneath sand and soil across the globe.
The UAE's burgeoning space program and private space industry have made collaborations with the country a strategic priority for ESA, according to Aschbacher. The agency is preparing to deploy research and infrastructure equipment on the Moon in the coming decade and sees the UAE's Rashid lunar rover programme as a vital element in scouting and analyzing the lunar surface.
During the visit, Aschbacher aims to discuss a potential trilateral mission named LUNA Bridge, involving UAE's rover flown by the Japanese company ispace, ESA, and possibly Japan. The mission would involve a lander delivering the rover to the lunar surface to conduct experiments. Additionally, ESA is seeking opportunities to fly Emirati astronauts alongside European counterparts, including on an upcoming ESA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The UAE has set an ambitious goal to become one of the world's top 10 space economies by 2031, and Aschbacher praised the country's rapid growth and achievements in space exploration. However, ESA also faces competition from highly competitive private space companies, such as ispace and Firefly Aerospace, which have had mixed results in their lunar missions.
ESA's expertise in astronaut training, lunar activities, and Earth observation, acquired over decades, makes it an invaluable partner, according to Aschbacher. The agency's model, involving 23 member states, ensures stability and continuity in collaborations, even amidst political volatility in individual countries.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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