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UAE Unveils 7 Asteroids Targeted for Landmark 2028 Space Mission
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Moneycontrol•15-10-2026, 11:20
UAE Unveils 7 Asteroids Targeted for Landmark 2028 Space Mission
- •The United Arab Emirates plans to study seven asteroids to help scientists understand the formation and evolution of the Solar System.
- •The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt will use the MBR Explorer spacecraft to investigate the composition and characteristics of these celestial bodies.
- •Six asteroids including Westerwald, Chimaera, Rockox, Ghaf, Ousha, and Moza will be studied during close flybys starting around 2030.
- •Asteroid 269 Justitia serves as the mission's final target, known for its unusually red appearance that may hint at complex organic materials.
- •The MBR Explorer is scheduled to launch in March 2028, utilizing gravity-assist maneuvers around Venus, Earth, and Mars to reach the asteroid belt.
Key Questions Answered
The UAE's 2028 asteroid mission utilizes the MBR Explorer spacecraft to investigate seven distinct asteroids in the main asteroid belt, traveling about five billion kilometres before its final phase.
The mission targets seven asteroids, including Westerwald, Chimaera, Rockox, Ghaf, Ousha, Moza, and the final target, 269 Justitia, which is known for its unusually red appearance.
The MBR Explorer is scheduled to launch in March 2028 and will use gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus, Earth, and Mars to adjust its trajectory and build the speed needed to reach the asteroid belt.
