NASA, UAE to collaborate, set up new space station orbiting the Moon

NASA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a groundbreaking collaboration for the development of the world’s inaugural lunar space station, known as Gateway, as per a report by Bloomberg. The partnership between NASA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) was unveiled on Sunday, solidifying their commitment to advancing space exploration. This joint venture is a crucial component of NASA’s Artemis program, focused on the long-term exploration of the moon Under the terms of the collaboration, the MBRSC will supply an airlock module for Gateway, facilitating the seamless transfer of crews and scientific research, as per the report. The official statement put out by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre outlines the UAE’s expanded role, not only providing the crucial airlock but also offering ongoing engineering support for the lunar space station. In a show of commitment, the UAE intends to send one of its astronauts on a future Artemis mission. US Vice President Kamala Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, expressed enthusiasm for the international partnership. Harris emphasized the synergies between the US and UAE, stating, “By combining our resources, scientific capacity, and technical skill, the US and UAE will further our collective vision for space.” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the significance of the UAE’s contribution, emphasizing that the airlock provided by MBRSC will enable groundbreaking scientific work in deep space, preparing for future endeavors such as human missions to Mars. The airlock serves as a crucial connection point, facilitating the transfer of crew and research between Gateway’s pressurized crew modules and the vacuum of space, supporting various scientific initiatives and maintenance activities. Gateway’s role extends beyond lunar exploration, serving as a hub for sustained exploration and research in deep space. This space station will provide a living and working space for astronauts, act as a staging point for lunar surface missions, and offer opportunities for spacewalks while orbiting the moon. The collaboration builds upon the history of cooperation between NASA and the UAE in human spaceflight. In 2019, Hazzaa Almansoori became the first Emirati to travel to space on a mission to the International Space Station, collaborating with NASA on experiments and educational outreach. Sultan Al Neyadi, another Emirati astronaut, contributed to scientific research in the floating laboratory during NASA and SpaceX Crew-6 mission in 2023. This latest collaboration marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between NASA and the UAE in advancing space exploration and scientific endeavours. (With inputs from agencies)