The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) has successfully completed its critical design review, marking a significant milestone in the mission’s timeline. This review involved collaboration between a group of Emirati and international experts and focused on the development updates for the MBR Explorer, which is set to proceed to the next phase of assembly, integration, and testing.

Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, expressed pride in this achievement, stating that it embodies the UAE’s vision of transforming ambitions into reality. He emphasized that the mission represents a major advancement in scientific innovation, enhancing the UAE’s position in deep space exploration while creating future opportunities in technology, education, and the economy.

The critical design review included a thorough evaluation of various aspects of the program, from detailed spacecraft designs to manufacturing and testing plans. It also assessed the expected performance to ensure the mission’s strategic objectives are met, alongside comprehensive testing plans that prepare components for the harsh conditions of space. The review aimed to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, along with a detailed examination of the mission schedule.

Mohsen Al Awadhi, Mission Director for EMA, highlighted that the mission aims to build capabilities and foster private sector involvement. He noted that the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt is not just a journey beyond Earth; it signifies a bold step toward innovation and global leadership in deep space exploration. Al Awadhi pointed out that the review process is essential for ensuring the success of any space program by validating system readiness, achieving scientific goals, and enhancing team coordination.

The EMA mission will involve a six-year phase for spacecraft design and development, followed by a launch and a seven-year mission to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars. The MBR Explorer will perform close flybys of seven main belt asteroids and eventually land on Justitia. It is equipped with advanced scientific instruments to achieve its objectives, which include understanding the origins and evolution of water-rich asteroids and evaluating their potential as resources for future space exploration.

The mission aims to measure various properties of the asteroids, such as surface composition, geology, interior density, and thermophysical characteristics, to analyze their evolution and history. Numerous academic and hardware partners, including Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), are participating in the mission, alongside international organizations like the Italian Space Agency and universities in the United States.

Previously, the UAE Space Agency conducted a preliminary design review for the mission in February 2024, followed by the completion of the lander mission concept review in July 2024. The lander, which will be part of the MBR Explorer, is specifically designed to land on and study the asteroid Justitia.