The UAE has unveiled a locally developed probe destined for one of the solar system's more unusual asteroids. But behind the five billion-kilometre journey sits a larger ambition: building a domestic space industry capable of designing, manufacturing and eventually commercialising deep-space technologies.

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The UAE has made significant progress in its space program and has unveiled a locally developed probe that is destined for an unusual asteroid in the solar system. This five-billion-kilometer journey speaks of a larger ambition: building a domestic space industry that can design, manufacture and eventually commercialize deep space technologies.

The probe reached its flight readiness in less than two years and was developed and assembled and tested in UAE. More than 150 specialized engineers and scientists have contributed to the broader Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. WAM

The MBR Explorer is scheduled to launch in March 2028. It will utilize gravity-assist maneuvers around Venus, Earth, and Mars to modify its velocity. The first asteroid encounter is expected to occur in February 2030, marking the initiation of an extensive exploration and scientific endeavor within the asteroid belt. UAE Space Agency

This is not just another spacecraft going into space. This mission is building on the long-term goals of UAE to build engineering capabilities, private-sector companies and technologies that could eventually form the foundation of a commercial space economy.

“Guided by the vision of our leadership, the UAE has progressed in just a few years from aspiring to reach space to actively contributing to shaping its future. Since the establishment of the UAE Space Agency in 2014, the nation has developed an integrated national space ecosystem, launching satellites, placing the Hope Probe into orbit around Mars, and sending Emirati astronauts to the International Space Station. Today, we continue to advance lunar missions and increasingly ambitious exploration projects.” H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai

The MBR Explorer’s route has a challenging scale. As estimated, in seven years the spacecraft will use a combination of solar electric propulsion and gravity assists around Venus, Earth and Mars to alter its trajectory before conducting flybys of six asteroids. Its final destination is Justitia, where the mission shifts from observation to something technically challenging. The probe will separate from MBR Explorer and descend towards the asteroid, gathering images and scientific information.

This data could reveal how the early solar system developed, particularly the movement of water and organic material.

The probe itself was led by Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute, which is responsible for its design, development, and testing alongside other UAE institutions and universities.

This entire mission highlights that UAE’s space ambitions are increasingly backed by real technical depth. Designing, testing and preparing a deep space probe at home points to a growing base of engineers, reseaerch institutes and private companies capabale of taking on complex missions and not just participating in them.

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