Sheikh Hamdan: Rashid Rover 2 Moon Launch Set for 2026

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and a key leader, has officially announced the launch of Rashid Rover 2—the UAE’s second lunar rover mission—set to touch down on the Moon’s far side in 2026. This bold move was made public as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) signed a strategic agreement with US-based Firefly Aerospace to handle payload delivery services. 

Background: A Vision for Lunar Exploration 

The UAE made history in April 2023 with the first Rashid lunar rover, which unfortunately crashed during landing. Undeterred, the Emirates Lunar Mission team promptly announced a replacement project, Rashid 2, just days later. Now, Sheikh Hamdan’s announcement signals renewed momentum: the mission aims to place the UAE among the few nations to explore the Moon’s far side—a region rife with scientific mystery. 

Strategic Partnership with Firefly Aerospace 

Under the agreement witnessed by Sheikh Hamdan at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, Firefly Aerospace will deploy the Rashid 2 rover aboard its Blue Ghost lunar lander, stacked on the Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. Firefly’s mission 2 in 2026 will deliver payloads not only from the UAE, but also from Australia, ESA, and NASA. This marks a major international collaboration under the Artemis Accords framework. 

Key Highlights: 

• Global Collaboration: Supported by UAE leadership and global partners including NASA and ESA. 
• Far Side Ambition: Rashid 2 will target the Moon’s far side—a technically challenging mission that few nations have attempted. 
• Cutting‑Edge Lander: Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander, in tandem with the Elytra Dark orbital module, will enable both orbit insertion and secure payload delivery. 

Scientific Goals of Rashid 2 

According to MBRSC, Rashid 2 is designed to conduct a range of ambitious experiments on the Moon’s far side: 

• Geological and Thermal Studies: Evaluating lunar soil composition, temperature variations, and dust dynamics. 
• Material Durability Tests: Examining how diverse materials interact with lunar dust, to inform future in-situ infrastructure designs. 
• Spacecraft Mobility Trials: Demonstrating rover navigation and operational stability in the challenging conditions of the far side. 

These data will help scientists understand lunar plasma, regolith behavior, and environmental mechanics—knowledge essential for long-term lunar exploration and human habitation. 

What This Means for UAE Space Ambitions 

This initiative underscores the UAE’s strategic vision for becoming a major space exploration hub. With backing from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince emphasized that such missions illustrate the UAE’s determination to push scientific boundaries and inspire future generations. 
MBRSC’s Vice President, Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, highlighted the mission’s significance in advancing knowledge and solidifying the UAE’s reputation as a global space exploration partner. 

Looking Ahead 

With a scheduled launch in 2026, the UAE is on track to make history again—this time exploring uncharted territory on the far side of the Moon. As Rashid Rover 2 prepares to join Firefly Aerospace’s second Blue Ghost mission, the world watches eagerly. The collaboration promises to generate valuable scientific insights, strengthen international ties, and pave the way for future lunar and deep-space endeavors.