Rashid rover moon landing date announced

Built by the UAE team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC), the Rashid rover has spent more than four months in space since its launch on December 11, 2022.

The rover entered space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on March 21 and has since approached the lunar surface.

The MBRSC further stated that the Rashid rover is currently orbiting the Moon at an orbital altitude of approximately 100 km at perilunar (peripheral point – the point on the orbit closest to the center of the Moon) and at an point) about 2,300 km on the farthest orbit from the center).

At around 7:40 p.m. on April 25, the lander carrying the Rashid probe will perform multiple orbit control maneuvers to reach a 100-kilometer orbit around the moon before beginning the landing procedure.

During touchdown, the lander will perform a brake burn, activating its main propulsion system to decelerate from orbit. Using a series of preprogrammed commands, the lander will adjust its altitude and reduce its speed for a soft landing at the confirmed location of the Cold Sea Atlas crater.

Before landing, the team will conduct 12 simulation exercises at the ground station.

On the lunar surface, the rovers will conduct scientific tests that are expected to lead to qualitative developments in the fields of science, communications technology and robotics.

The mission’s primary goal is to study lunar plasma and provide answers about lunar dust, the lunar surface, lunar motion, and how different surfaces interact with lunar particles.

Once on the lunar surface, the rover will also send back images and collect data on lunar soil and dust.