MBRSC: Pioneering UAE’s legacy in space

In the heat-shimmering heart of Dubai, under skies often mirrored by high rises and shifting sands, a quieter revolution has been taking place—one charted not in the language of markets and landmarks, but in orbits and dreams. It is here, in the space between ambition and the unknown, that the story of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) unfolds. Nearly twenty years since its modest beginnings, the Centre has become both sanctuary and springboard for the Arab world’s space aspirations, crafting a narrative as much about exploration as endurance, as much about hope as hardware.

Humble beginnings

The journey began in 2006, when five engineers formed the Centre’s founding constellation. Each day, they engineered their way through a foundation for Emirati expertise and a knowledge economy born not from oil or trade, but from curiosity and the courage to act on it.

“Since its beginning, MBRSC has carried forward the UAE’s vision of exploration and discovery,” said H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC. “Beyond launching missions or building satellites; it has foremost been about fostering a culture of curiosity, resilience, and ambition that reflects the spirit of our nation.”

This notion of forging ahead, of shaping a new chapter in Arab scientific legacy, was embedded into every project and mission the team produced. By 2015, the Centre had formalised a mandate to be the incubator for the UAE National Space Programme, delivering satellites, missions, and talent at scale.

Above the Earth

MBRSC’s early satellites—DubaiSat-1 in 2009, DubaiSat-2 in 2013, and later KhalifaSat in 2018—became storytellers of the Earth itself. KhalifaSat, the first satellite fully designed and built by Emirati engineers, marked the UAE’s transformation to an innovator in the regional space sector.

These satellites provided environmental data touching every facet of modern life, from agriculture and air quality to disaster response. The images of Palm Jumeirah’s outline or the runways at Al Maktoum Airport that were captured by the Centre’s satellites during the early days weren’t merely technical feats; they illustrated a nation in motion and the ability to see the UAE in a whole new light.

Partnerships also mattered when taking satellites to a whole new sector. MBRSC expanded its environmental mission with DMSat-1, the region’s first environmental nanosatellite. Built in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality, DMSat-1 is able to measure aerosols and fine particles in the atmosphere with remarkable precision. It can also detect greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane across the UAE’s landscape.

The latest addition to this fleet are the MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT, launched earlier this year. MBZ-SAT, recognised as the most advanced satellite in the Arab world, was developed in collaboration with the UAE space industry. It delivers more than double the imaging accuracy of earlier systems, four times faster data transmission, and generates ten times the volume of images. Its fully automated system provides ultra-high-resolution imagery around the clock, with data delivery possible within two hours of capture, which is an unprecedented capability for disaster response and environmental monitoring. Complementing it is Etihad-SAT, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite designed to capture images under all weather and environmental conditions, including smoke, dust, and cloud cover. Together, the data from MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT are enabling applications across urban planning, natural disaster monitoring, and climate change studies, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in advanced Earth observation technologies.

Becoming the vanguard

In 2017, a new chapter began as the UAE set its sights on sending its astronauts into orbit. Hazzaa AlMansoori and H.E. Sultan AlNeyadi, were selected from more than 4,000 applicants for the first batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, both of whom in turn had become the face of the mission that has been named Zayed Ambition. For the first ever space mission by an Emirati, AlMansoori launched aboard Soyuz MS-15 in September 2019 for an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

AlMansoori’s mission became a symbol and a moment that will be etched in the memory of every Emirati and Arab. He conducted and monitored 31 biological, physical and geological experiments in the ISS’s microgravity environment, and returned as both a national symbol and a mission professional. AlMansoori has now taken on the role as the manager of the Astronauts Corps section at MBRSC, dedicating himself to mentoring the burgeoning astronaut corps. He had also become the first Arab to serve as an Increment Lead, coordinating mission execution and linking crew with ground during H.E. Sultan AlNeyadi’s Expedition 69, as part of Zayed Ambition 2 mission.

“The most important legacy we leave,” AlMansoori reflects, “is not the science performed, but the conviction for the next generation that they belong—in mission control, on the ISS, behind the visor of a spacesuit.”

The pipeline flourished rapidly. H.E. Sultan AlNeyadi’s six-month expedition to the ISS in 2023 marked a milestone not only for the UAE but for the broader region. Across 585 hours and over 200 experiments, AlNeyadi collaborated with scientists and agencies around the world. His work spanned human physiology, fluid physics, materials science, radiation studies, plant research, and technology demonstrations, contributing to fields as diverse as immune function, cardiovascular health, and sleep science.

The resonance of his first words from space: “The UAE is making great progress and hopefully this will be followed by even greater accomplishments,” echoed back to classrooms and people of all ages across the UAE, region and the world. AlNeyadi also performed the Arab world’s first spacewalk, a 7-hour and 1 minute extravehicular activity that took the Centre’s emblem farther than ever before.

“Each experiment opened a door,” AlNeyadi observed, “and every discovery has the potential to benefit not only future explorers, but all humanity.”

In a similar vein, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla, who were selected to form the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, represent both the diversity and depth the programme aspires to. AlMatrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut, and AlMulla, whose aviation discipline set him apart, completed rigorous training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in March 2024, graduating with the Artemis generation class after two years of intensive preparation in spacewalking, robotics, ISS systems, T-38 jets, and survival training.

“The comprehensive training undertaken by our cadre of astronauts illustrates the strategic and multidimensional approach the UAE is taking towards space exploration,” AlMarri affirms. “This achievement is a stepping stone towards our goal of sustainable space exploration, showcasing the UAE as a pioneering force in space science and technology.”

“Becoming an astronaut is not just about reaching space. It is also about broadening the horizons for all who look up,” AlMatrooshi had shared during her graduation ceremony. “Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and every mission is another step for everyone who dreams that they too can contribute.”

Mars, the Moon, and beyond

If Earth observation was the beginning, followed closely by sustainable human spaceflight missions, then planetary exploration represents the bold next act. The Hope Probe, part of the Emirates Mars Mission, launched in July 2020 and reached Martian orbit in February 2021. More than 5 TB of data it captured has streamed back to Earth, chronicling daily and seasonal weather patterns, unlocking mysteries of atmospheric escape, and giving scientists a holistic view of the Red Planet’s climate for the first time.

Hope’s three instruments worked in tandem to provide unprecedented insight into Mars’ atmospheric dynamics. The mission has revealed new insights into discrete auroras on Mars, seasonal atmospheric changes, and the dynamics of dust storms that engulf the planet. Beyond Mars, it also shifted its trajectory a bit to gather data from Deimos, one of the lesser-known moons of Mars.

From Hope, the arc continues toward the lunar surface through the Emirates Lunar Mission, developing a series of rovers, named Rashid Rover, to explore the surface of the Moon in different locations with different science objectives. Named after the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the compact four-wheeled rover represents the Arab world’s first lunar surface mission.

The first Rashid Rover launched in December 2022 aboard the Japanese Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander and became the first Arab spacecraft to make it to the Moon’s orbit. Taking lessons from the first mission, the Centre is currently working on the Rashid Rover 2. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and President of MBRSC, had earlier this year witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement between MBRSC and Firefly Aerospace, under which the latter will provide the lunar lander to deploy the Rashid Rover 2 to the far side of the moon in 2026.

The Rashid Rover 2 will explore the far side of the Moon, testing mobility in challenging terrain and conducting experiments such as material adhesion to study lunar dust effects. With advanced cameras and probes, it will examine the Moon’s plasma environment, geology, soil, and thermal conditions, while supporting future resource use and deep space exploration. It will also carry a radio transmitter for communication with other payloads.

Gateway to the future

Perhaps no project better illustrates MBRSC’s growing role in international space exploration than the development of the Emirates Airlock for NASA’s Gateway lunar space station. Announced in January 2024, this collaboration marks the UAE as a key partner in humanity’s return to the Moon.

The Crew and Science Airlock Module will be a critical component of Gateway, the first space station to orbit the Moon. This 10-meter-long, 4-meter-wide, 10-tonne module will serve as the portal between Gateway’s pressurised crew quarters and the vacuum of space, enabling astronauts to conduct spacewalks, transfer scientific equipment, and maintain the lunar station.

The airlock will also function as an additional docking port for visiting spacecraft and provide storage and maintenance space for extravehicular activity suits. Under the agreement, MBRSC will manage and operate the airlock throughout Gateway’s operational life, while also providing engineering support for the lunar space station.

“The United States and the United Arab Emirates are marking a historic moment in our nations’ collaboration in space, and the future of human space exploration,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson had said when announcing the partnership. “The UAE’s provision of the airlock to Gateway will allow astronauts to conduct groundbreaking science in deep space and prepare to one day send humanity to Mars.”

Building the next generation

A space programme is only as strong as its pipeline, and MBRSC has made education central to its mission. The Centre runs continuous educational initiatives, including student experiments on the ISS, summer and winter camps, collaborations with museums and other entities, lab tours, and internships, bringing thousands into contact with real spaceflight data and teams.

Student-built satellites is one of the most successful examples of this commitment. Nayif-1, developed in collaboration with American University of Sharjah students, was one of the first CubeSats built in the region. More recently, HCT-SAT 1 represents a new milestone in educational space missions. Launched in January 2025, HCT-SAT 1 is a 1U CubeSat developed by students from the Higher Colleges of Technology across various disciplines including aeronautical sciences, airframe design, electrical engineering, and applied media. Working within MBRSC laboratories under the guidance of seasoned engineers and faculty members, these students participated in every phase of satellite development—from design and assembly to testing and operational management.

“At MBRSC, we are committed to enabling a culture of innovation and excellence, particularly among the youth who are the future pioneers of our nation’s space sector,” explains AlMarri. “Our wide range of educational initiatives is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of education in STEM fields.”

Collaboration as a guiding principle

From its inception, MBRSC has built partnerships that multiply impact. Knowledge collaborations with NASA, ESA, JAXA, ROSCOSMOS and other space agencies amplify the scope of each project while accelerating learning and capability development.

The Centre’s Payload Hosting Initiative with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs exemplifies this philosophy, providing launch opportunities for nations and organizations from around the world a chance to send scientific equipment, known as payloads, into space using satellites developed by MBRSC. The initiative helps build space science and technology capacity and encourages innovation in space exploration.

MBRSC’s role as host for major international gatherings further demonstrates this collaborative approach. The Centre hosted the International Astronautical Congress in 2021, SpaceOps 2023, and most recently, Geospatial Week 2025 in April this year. These events create crossroads for dialogue and discovery in the space community while positioning Dubai as a global hub for space technology and policy discussions.

A living legacy

As Global Space Week arrives once again, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s story continues to unfold with renewed purpose and expanded capabilities. Each new mission, every returned astronaut, and all the data streaming back from orbit tell the same fundamental story: of a region that chose contribution over hesitation, of engineers who built capability from curiosity, and of a generation discovering that the stars represent both destination and invitation.

Under Dubai’s ever-expanding sky, where innovation knows no bounds and ancient trade winds carry new dreams, Emirati engineers, scientists, and explorers continue building more than satellites and spacecraft. They are constructing a future where the Arab world’s voice echoes of a future where young minds across the region look up and see not limits, but infinite possibility stretching to the edge of imagination and beyond.

“Every milestone we reach embodies the dedication of our people and the strength of our collaborations, positioning the UAE as a leader in global science and innovation,” says AlMarri. “As we move towards new horizons in Earth observation, human spaceflight, and planetary exploration, we remain guided by the belief that the dreams we nurture today will define the achievements of tomorrow.”