MBRSC, 'Thales Alenia Space' partner on Lunar Gateway project

The UAE's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) signed a cooperation agreement with Thales Alenia Space on Tuesday, marking a major step towards realising the UAE’s space exploration goals.

Thales Alenia Space will becoming a strategic partner in the country’s role in the Lunar Gateway Space Station. The company is a world leader in orbital infrastructures, a pivotal partner in numerous international sciences and space exploration missions across the Solar System, and a top industrial partner onboard the Lunar Gateway and Axiom commercial space station.

The signing was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Board; and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan, writing on social media platform X said; "This trailblazing project will usher in a new era of human space exploration, paving the way for the first Emirati Arab astronaut to enter lunar orbit.

"The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre spearheads the UAE's involvement in this project, which represents a vital step toward establishing humanity's permanent presence on the Moon and enabling future planetary missions.

"We are proud to join forces with our international partners – the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Union – to push the frontiers of discovery and exploration."