Amna Khalifa is the mechanical engineer for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QABXEYYYNRG6FK52ITLW4YTOPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f47254d6dd323c2beee18eb4985cd623d16d78bae420f83d9b9c7c02da7660c4&width=400&height=225)
Emirati engineers pictured inside the clean room, along with the Rashid rover, in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
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The flight model of the Mission 1 Hakuto-R lander by private company ispace inc. Photo: ispace
Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, director of the Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A small team of Emiratis have built the UAE's first mission to the Moon. Here, they are pictured with an old model of the Rashid rover. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PLP2FHTQGXMLPDUKHTEQKL6TZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac417224655349ee837232699a4fbc29d540b6edae56f2e634fea9978f1a0dba&width=400&height=225)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends a presentation by members of the Emirates Lunar Mission in the capital Abu Dhabi on June 15, 2022. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
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Sheikh Mohamed with the members of the Emirates Lunar Mission team.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLTJTI4QYFAX3LTNX4XBMZGK44.jpg?smart=true&auth=97e81bebdb3bd5534557a85f94438038cc43ec7e21755bcf7bef7687f04aa3aa&width=400&height=225)
The Rashid rover has now been shipped to France for final testing. Pictured are Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXV2TPVTDJA2LNQJIYLTMEI2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a7a42d1ca8a41373caa1abd06c9e8f461db2097831da40b1f9d98889bb45f049&width=400&height=225)
Emirati engineers carry the Rashid rover inside a clean room in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
Dr Sara Al Maeeni is the communication and science lead of the Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ahmed Sharaf is the electrical systems lead for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abdullah Al Shehi is the lead of mechanical system for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Amna Khalifa is the mechanical engineer for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QABXEYYYNRG6FK52ITLW4YTOPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f47254d6dd323c2beee18eb4985cd623d16d78bae420f83d9b9c7c02da7660c4&width=400&height=225)
Emirati engineers pictured inside the clean room, along with the Rashid rover, in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXWSBA2KA5EKJGARJHF5CXAGMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5a9ea8f30f8fc5efd297242c0ba86a647f5e00e533b3e48415eb039555d8891&width=400&height=225)
The flight model of the Mission 1 Hakuto-R lander by private company ispace inc. Photo: ispace
Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, director of the Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A small team of Emiratis have built the UAE's first mission to the Moon. Here, they are pictured with an old model of the Rashid rover. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PLP2FHTQGXMLPDUKHTEQKL6TZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac417224655349ee837232699a4fbc29d540b6edae56f2e634fea9978f1a0dba&width=400&height=225)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends a presentation by members of the Emirates Lunar Mission in the capital Abu Dhabi on June 15, 2022. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PP6D4XSHSNDHBLOXD4K5Y7KROM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=e13c6ed0cc91d7be5d4615cf4abf8d11abb0c8404e0f07afbf17832bec9e208f&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed with the members of the Emirates Lunar Mission team.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLTJTI4QYFAX3LTNX4XBMZGK44.jpg?smart=true&auth=97e81bebdb3bd5534557a85f94438038cc43ec7e21755bcf7bef7687f04aa3aa&width=400&height=225)
The Rashid rover has now been shipped to France for final testing. Pictured are Emirati engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXV2TPVTDJA2LNQJIYLTMEI2ZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a7a42d1ca8a41373caa1abd06c9e8f461db2097831da40b1f9d98889bb45f049&width=400&height=225)
Emirati engineers carry the Rashid rover inside a clean room in the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on June 15, 2022. Photo: MBRSC
Dr Sara Al Maeeni is the communication and science lead of the Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ahmed Sharaf is the electrical systems lead for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abdullah Al Shehi is the lead of mechanical system for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Amna Khalifa is the mechanical engineer for Emirates Lunar Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE’s Moon mission chief 'excited but feeling the pressure,' as Rashid rover nears launch
Vehicle to attempt rare Moon crater landing later this year
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
17 June, 2022
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