The United Arab Emirates is continuing to advance one of its most ambitious space projects, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, a long-term scientific mission designed to study seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.

The project represents a major step in the UAE’s efforts to expand its capabilities in deep-space exploration and develop a stronger national space ecosystem.

According to the latest official information, the mission spans 13 years and is divided into two major phases. Six years are dedicated to the development and design of the spacecraft, followed by a seven-year flight and exploration phase. The mission’s spacecraft, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Explorer, will carry scientific instruments designed to observe and analyse the targeted asteroids and gather detailed information about their physical and geological characteristics.

One of the mission’s major scientific objectives is to study the origins and evolution of water-rich asteroids. Scientists will also examine surface composition, geological characteristics and internal density, while analysing temperature variations and thermal properties across different asteroids. The resulting data could contribute to a better understanding of how these celestial bodies evolved and help assess their potential as resources for future space exploration missions.

The mission also includes a lander designed to land on and study the asteroid Justitia. This element highlights the increasing complexity of the UAE’s space ambitions, moving beyond orbital missions toward deeper exploration and advanced spacecraft operations. The UAE Space Agency completed the mission’s Critical Design Review in February 2025, an important stage covering spacecraft systems, manufacturing, testing, performance and risk-management plans.

The programme also has a strong national capability-building component. It involves academic and technology partners including Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi and the Technology Innovation Institute, alongside international institutions and private-sector organisations. According to the latest UAE space-sector report, 50 percent of the mission’s work has been allocated to UAE-based private-sector companies.

The asteroid mission forms part of a broader transformation in the UAE’s space sector during 2026. The country is increasingly focusing not only on scientific missions and satellite launches, but also on manufacturing, data, artificial intelligence, research, investment and international partnerships.