UAE joins forces with European space company to develop airlock for Nasa lunar station

Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Italian-French firm Thales Alenia Space signed a deal on Tuesday to develop component for Gateway station

A rendering of the Gateway lunar space station project, in which the UAE is taking part. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre

The UAE on Tuesday announced a partnership with a leading European space company to develop a key component for Nasa's planned Moon-orbiting station, which is set to pave the way for future Emirati astronaut missions.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, hailed the agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Italian-French firm Thales Alenia Space to construct an airlock for the Gateway lunar station as a “major step forward” for the country.

Sheikh Hamdan was joined at a signing ceremony by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

The National revealed on December 10 that MBRSC had been evaluating bids from leading international companies for the contract. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

The airlock module, which is expected to be launched in 2030, would be a critical part of the station, creating entry and exit points for astronauts and cargo.

“This partnership is a major step towards realising the UAE’s space exploration goals, with Thales Alenia Space becoming a strategic partner in the country’s role in the Lunar Gateway Space Station,” Sheikh Hamdan posted on X. “This trailblazing project will usher in a new era of human space exploration, paving the way for the first Emirati Arab astronaut to enter lunar orbit.”

The UAE announced early last year that it had signed an agreement with Nasa to develop the airlock. In exchange, an Emirati astronaut would secure a future mission to the Gateway. Several international organisations had submitted bids for the contract, including a publicly listed US aerospace manufacturing company.

Nasa is leading the development of the Gateway with contributions from the UAE, Japan, and the European and Canadian space agencies. The US space agency aims to start construction of the station within this decade.

Four Emiratis make up the country’s astronaut corps, including Hazza Al Mansouri, who became the first Emirati in space in 2019. Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, also the Minister for Youth Affairs, became the first Arab astronaut to go on an extended mission when he spent six months on the International Space Station in 2023. He performed a seven-hour spacewalk.

The corps also includes Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman to be selected as an astronaut, and Mohammed Al Mulla, a former Dubai Police helicopter pilot. Both completed Nasa's astronaut training programme and are now eligible for space missions.