Watch Live: RAND reappears; UAE’s Rashid rover now minutes away from landing on the moon – News

Get live updates as this country makes space history tonight

The UAE will make a giant leap on the moon, with the Rashid rover expected to touch down on the lunar surface at 8.40pm (local time) tonight.

The rover, proudly designed and built by an all-UAE team of engineers and experts, has finally reached its destination after An Epic Journey Over 135 Days.

Tonight’s historic milestone will make the UAE the first Arab country and the fourth country in the world to place its flag on the moon.

Here are real-time updates brought to you Khaleej Times’ Teams reporting on space missions from all corners:

8.36pm: First time seeing the moon!

As the lander got closer to the lunar surface, it showed Earth its first impressions of lunar craters.

The lander carrying the Rasheed rover is at it again. The UAE is now just minutes away from landing on the moon.

The brake burn phase begins. It is at an altitude of 25 kilometers.

Here’s a recap of what’s to come before TOUCHDOWN is officially announced:

8.22pm: Last few minutes!

After about 10 minutes – the brake burn should start. The altitude is getting closer and closer to reaching the 25km mark above the ground.

8:17pm: By the way, where exactly will the rover land?

The Rashid rover will set foot on (or rather, its wheels on) the lunar Atlas crater, which lies on the outer rim of Mare Frigoris (the Cold Sea).

Here’s a cool map shared by the Dubai Media Office:

why here? The site meets the technical specifications of the Lander Technology Demonstration Mission and the scientific exploration objectives of the UAE Moon Mission. Additionally, other previous missions – such as Apollo 15 and 17 – have successfully landed here. This is a tried and tested route.

Check out the markers on this Nasa map:

8.08pm: Cruise landing phase begins

The lander is now in its second phase, known as the “cruise landing phase” — where the lander’s altitude drops from 100 kilometers to 25 kilometers.

At this stage, the speed does not change much. This phase – the longest phase of the mission – lasted 40 to 50 minutes, with a duration of 1 hour and 7 minutes for the entire sequence.

8:50pm: Location check, where is the rover now?

The lander carrying the Rashid rover is currently on the far side of the moon. Engineers are waiting to re-establish contact with the ground station and re-emerge from the backside, eventually landing on the moon’s sunward side.

7.58pm: Briefing of the landing sequence

Currently orbiting the moon with the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander,

The Rashid rover is expected to reach the lunar surface within 40 minutes.

It will fit into this five-point landing sequence:

Salem AlMarri, director-general of Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC), tweeted the countdown to the final 60 minutes before the UAE’s moon landing: