• Engineers from Japan's ispace watch a simulation of the real-time lunar landing. Moments later, they lost contact with the spacecraft as it hit the surface - and it is presumed damaged or destroyed. Photo: ispace
    Engineers from Japan's ispace watch a simulation of the real-time lunar landing. Moments later, they lost contact with the spacecraft as it hit the surface - and it is presumed damaged or destroyed. Photo: ispace
  • Spaceflight engineers in Dubai monitor the trajectory of the spacecraft carrying the Rashid rover as it attempts to land on the Moon. Getty
    Spaceflight engineers in Dubai monitor the trajectory of the spacecraft carrying the Rashid rover as it attempts to land on the Moon. Getty
  • Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre engineers monitor the attempt to land on the Moon. Getty
    Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre engineers monitor the attempt to land on the Moon. Getty
  • A model of the Hakuto-R lander is displayed before a live stream of the lunar landing, at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. AP
    A model of the Hakuto-R lander is displayed before a live stream of the lunar landing, at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. AP
  • A photographer snaps models of the lander and lunar rover. AP
    A photographer snaps models of the lander and lunar rover. AP
  • Takeshi Hakamada, founder and chief executive of ispace, attends the streamed event. AP
    Takeshi Hakamada, founder and chief executive of ispace, attends the streamed event. AP
  • Members of the ispace team watch the live stream of the Haluto-R private lunar exploration programme in Tokyo. AP
    Members of the ispace team watch the live stream of the Haluto-R private lunar exploration programme in Tokyo. AP

UAE

UAE in Space

Japan's ispace loses contact with lunar spacecraft carrying UAE's Rashid rover

Company investigating and ‘cannot confirm’ safe landing on the Moon

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

April 25, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Japan's ispace said it is investigating after losing contact with its Hakuto-R Mission 1 spacecraft during an attempted lunar landing.

The spacecraft, carrying the UAE's Rashid rover, was expected to land on the Moon at about 8.40pm.

A tense mission control in Tokyo waited for more than 30 minutes to secure communications with the spacecraft.

“At this moment, we have not been able to confirm successful landing on the lunar surface,” ispace chief executive Takeshi Hakamada said in a live stream.

Our engineers and mission control centre continue to investigate the current status of the lander
Takeshi Hakamada,
ispace chief executive

“Our engineers and mission control centre continue to investigate the current status of the lander.

“We have not been to confirm communication with the lander. We established communication until the end of the landing, however, now we lost communication.

“We have to assume that we could not complete the landing on the lunar surface.”

The space exploration company later issued a statement saying it was still working to confirm the status of its craft.

"Ispace engineers and mission operations specialists in the mission control centre are currently working to confirm the current status of the lander," the ispace statement said.

Ispace founder Takeshi Hakamada at the live event for the lunar landing attempt. Reuters
Ispace founder Takeshi Hakamada at the live event for the lunar landing attempt. Reuters

"Further information on the status of the lander will be announced as it becomes available."

The Hakuto-R Mission 1 spacecraft attempted an intricate Moon landing sequence that included reducing speed and altitude significantly in minutes.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre issued a statement on Twitter, saying that ispace is still investigating.

"Ispace has updated that they have lost communication with the Hakuto-R lander and have not been able to confirm a successful landing," the space centre said.

"Their engineers are continuing to investigate the situation and will update once they finish investigation."

A core team of 11 engineers at the space centre had been working on the Rashid rover since 2017, hoping that the UAE would become the first Arab nation to place a spacecraft on the surface of another celestial body.

Ispace was also expecting to make history by becoming the first company to achieve a private mission to the lunar surface.

Lunar landings are difficult and have a 50 per cent success rate, with only the US, the Soviet Union and China achieving soft landings on the surface.

In 2019, India and Israel had spacecraft that crash-landed on the Moon.

Lunar landings are difficult because the Moon has no atmosphere, which means engineers cannot use parachutes to land spacecraft as they do on Mars and Earth.

Instead, complex manoeuvres are required to help the spacecraft decelerate so it touches down safely.

There are also mascons, or mass concentrations, on the Moon's surface, which create gravity anomalies and can cause potential danger for a spacecraft attempting a landing.

________________________________

Sultan Al Neyadi's life on the International Space Station - in pictures

  • Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
    Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
  • On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
    On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
  • Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
    Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
  • Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
    Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter
  • Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC
    Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC
  • Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space
    Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space
  • Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space
    Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space
  • Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab
    Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab
  • Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space.
    Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space.
  • Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa
    Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa
  • Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter
    Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter
  • UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC
    UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC
  • UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
    UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
  • The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
    The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
  • This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)
    This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)
  • Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa
    Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa
  • In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)
    In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

While you're here
While you're here
Chris%20Jordan%20on%20Sanchit
%3Cp%3EChris%20Jordan%20insists%20Sanchit%20Sharma%20will%20make%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20ILT20%2C%20despite%20him%20starting%20the%20campaign%20on%20Gulf%20Giants'%20bench.%3Cbr%3EThe%20young%20UAE%20seamer%20was%20an%20instant%20success%20for%20the%20side%20last%20season%2C%20and%20remained%20part%20of%20the%20XI%20as%20they%20claimed%20the%20title.%3Cbr%3EHe%20has%20yet%20to%20feature%20this%20term%20as%20the%20Giants%20have%20preferred%20Aayan%20Khan%20and%20Usman%20Khan%20as%20their%20two%20UAE%20players%20so%20far.%3Cbr%3EHowever%2C%20England%20quick%20Jordan%20is%20sure%20his%20young%20colleague%20will%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play%20at%20some%20point.%3Cbr%3E%22Me%20and%20Sanchit%20have%20a%20great%20relationship%20from%20last%20season%2C%22%20Jordan%20said.%3Cbr%3E%22Whenever%20I%20am%20working%20with%20more%20inexperienced%20guys%2C%20I%20take%20pleasure%20in%20sharing%20as%20much%20as%20possible.%3Cbr%3E%22I%20know%20what%20it%20was%20like%20when%20I%20was%20younger%20and%20learning%20off%20senior%20players.%3Cbr%3E%22Last%20season%20Sanchit%20kick-started%20our%20season%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20with%20a%20brilliant%20man-of-the-match%20performance.%3Cbr%3E%22Coming%20into%20this%20one%2C%20I%20have%20seen%20a%20lot%20of%20improvement.%20The%20focus%20he%20is%20showing%20will%20only%20stand%20him%20in%20good%20stead.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here

THE SPECS

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Updated: April 26, 2023, 6:07 AM
SpaceUAE