MBR Explorer
MBR Explorer, also known as Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt,[1][2] is an uncrewed spacecraft announced by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency in May 2023, for a 2028 launch to explore the asteroid belt.[3][4][5]
It is named after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the vice president and the prime minister of UAE.[6]
The spacecraft will weigh around 2.8 tonnes and will travel at an average speed of 33,000km/h.[7]
The MBR Explorer will visit seven asteroids; 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, 88055, 23871, 59980, in a 5-billion-kilometre total journey,[6][8] and will attempt to land on its final asteroid, 269 Justitia in 2034.[7]
The spacecraft will also drop off a small lander to set down on Justitia’s surface.[4]
References
- ^ "UAE announces space mission to land MBR Explorer on asteroid 5 billion kilometres away". Arabian Business. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Touring Through the Asteroid Belt: United Arab Emirates Unveils Bold Mission". SpaceRef. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "UAE heading to asteroid belt as it announces new space mission". Al Jazeera. May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Kenneth Chang (May 29, 2023). "The United Arab Emirates Is Heading for the Asteroid Belt". The New York Times.
- ^ Sarwat Nasir (May 29, 2023). "MBR Explorer: UAE unveils details of its mission to the main asteroid belt". The National. Abu Dhabi.
- ^ a b "Arabian spacecraft to search asteroid belt for clues to life's origins". ABC News. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ a b "MBR Explorer: All about UAE's new space mission to Asteroid Belt". Gulf News. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Ambitious Emirati Mission Seeks to Visit 7 Asteroids and Land on the Big Red One". Gizmodo. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
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