UAE to partner with MHI for upcoming national space mission.

UAE Space Agency Signs Agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt

The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) has formalized an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for launch services related to the UAE’s flagship Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA).

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, UAE Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid.

The agreement took place on the sidelines of the first space research conference organized by UAESA after the UAE Cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of the UAE. Dubai has approved the decision to set up the “Supreme Space Council”, a permanent body that will report directly to the cabinet headed by Sheikh Hamdan.

MBR Explorer

The UAE Space Agency is leading the development of the MBR Explorer, named in honor of Sheikh Mohammed, as part of the Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt. The flagship mission, the successor to the Emirates Mars Mission, is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2028.

It aims to add to our understanding of the existence and origin of the building blocks of life found in the basement of our solar system and the asteroid belt, and lay the groundwork for future resource extraction from asteroids.

EMA involved a thirteen-year mission: a six-year spacecraft development period, followed by a seven-year flight to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars, a series of close flybys to make unique observations of main belt asteroids, and a seventh landing. One, Justicia.

This is the third launch service agreement between MHI and the UAE for Emirati national missions, following Khalifasat, launched in 2018, and the Emirates Mars Mission, launched in 2020.

The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt’s mission director, Mohsen Al Awadi, stated: “MHI’s modern H3 launch vehicle and their consistent track record of reliability align with the ambitious goals of our mission.”

High expectations
“Considering the H3 launch vehicle’s improved capabilities and MHI’s dedication to accuracy and quality, there are high expectations for it. This collaboration is a demonstration of our faith in MHI’s capabilities and technology, as well as the next phase of the UAE’s deep space exploration.”

Iwao Igarashi, MHI’s Vice President and Senior General Manager of Space Systems, said: “It is our honor to once again provide launch services to the UAE for their important national mission. On behalf of MHI, I express my sincere respect to UAESA and the organizations that challenged this very unique, unprecedented and adventurous project. As the inaugural service provider We are very pleased to support the project and MHI is committed to the successful delivery of the MBR Explorer into orbit and the smooth start of UAESA’s new journey into deep space.

MHI Launch Services has achieved a success rate of over 98% using its H-IIA and H-IIB launch vehicles and has executed more than 50 successful consecutive launches since 2005, delivered on time and to customer satisfaction. Today, MHI’s technologies and know-how in the development and operation of launch vehicles are used in successful launches of Japan’s new launch vehicle, the H3.

The H3 launch vehicle builds on the legacy of the highly reliable H-IIA & H-IIB and is designed to be customer-specific and capable of meeting a variety of launch demands.
Third Release of H3 Successfully completed the third release of H3 on 1 July 2024. MHI is committed to maintaining the quality of launch vehicles by providing reliable launch solutions to the market.

The partnership embodies MHI’s long-term support of customers and commitment to providing reliable access to space for a variety of customers in the space industry. Through this partnership to launch the MBR Explorer for EMA, UAESA and MHI will jointly contribute to the diversification of space exploration, development of the space industry and solving global social issues.