The United Arab Emirates is preparing to launch its second interplanetary mission in March 2028. The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) will send the MBR Explorer spacecraft on a journey of around 5 billion kilometres to study seven asteroids.
The spacecraft will conduct close flybys of six asteroids in the main asteroid belt before reaching its final destination, 269 Justitia. The mission is expected to culminate in 2036, when a UAE-developed probe will descend towards the asteroid’s surface to capture close-range images and study its composition.
The probe has been developed, assembled and tested in the UAE by the Technology Innovation Institute, in collaboration with the UAE Space Agency and other research partners. It has reached flight readiness and will undergo final integration with the MBR Explorer ahead of launch.
The spacecraft will use gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus, Earth and Mars to travel towards the asteroid belt. The eight-year journey is designed to gather data on the asteroids’ characteristics, origins and evolution.
The mission could help scientists better understand the formation of the solar system and the distribution of water, organic materials and other resources. The findings may also support future research into the potential use of asteroid resources.
The EMA is part of the UAE’s broader effort to strengthen its space technology capabilities, develop local expertise and expand opportunities for private-sector participation in advanced space projects.
