Sultan Al Neyadi and Suhail – the MBRSC mascot – on the International Space Station on March 17, 2023
Sultan Al Neyadi and Suhail – the MBRSC mascot – on the International Space Station on March 17, 2023
Sultan Al Neyadi and Suhail – the MBRSC mascot – on the International Space Station on March 17, 2023
Sultan Al Neyadi and Suhail – the MBRSC mascot – on the International Space Station on March 17, 2023

UAE astronauts eye missions and satellite lift-offs in 2024


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE in 2024 will reach for the stars once more in the global space race with the launch of the Arab world’s most powerful satellite and the addition of two Nasa-trained Emirati astronauts.

In 2023, the country enjoyed its busiest year in space, and the new year promises much for the burgeoning sector.

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who returned from his six-month mission aboard the International Space Station in September, will be continuing his outreach activities this year as he builds on his stellar accomplishments.

The Rashid rover may have crash-landed on the lunar surface in April, but engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will develop designs for a new rover, Rashid 2, in 2024.

With more space activities in store for the UAE, The National takes a look at some of the key events to look out for.

MBZ-Sat satellite

MBRSC is expected to launch the MBZ-Sat satellite next year.

Named after President Sheikh Mohamed, the 800kg satellite will be carried into orbit as part of a SpaceX ride-share mission on a Falcon 9 rocket.

MBRSC engineers take a photo with the MBZ-Sat satellite. Photo: Dubai Media Office
MBRSC engineers take a photo with the MBZ-Sat satellite. Photo: Dubai Media Office

It is the region’s most advanced Earth-imaging satellite and will monitor environmental changes, water quality and assist in agricultural development.

MBZ-Sat is expected to be three times more powerful than KhalifaSat, an Emirati-built satellite in operation since 2018.

The space centre hopes to support the domestic space industry through this mission, with 90 per cent of the mechanical and 50 per cent of the electronic modules for MBZ-Sat built in the Emirates.

Emirati astronauts ready for missions

The UAE’s newest astronauts, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla, are scheduled to graduate from a training programme at Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, in early 2024.

They will become eligible for US-led missions once they complete the programme.

UAE astronauts Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi underwater during spacewalk training
UAE astronauts Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi underwater during spacewalk training

Ms Matrooshi, 30, a mechanical engineer, is the first Emirati woman to be selected as an astronaut.

She and Mr Al Mulla, 35, a former Dubai Police helicopter pilot, have been training in Houston since 2021, shortly after they were selected to be part of the UAE’s astronaut corps.

Private space sector boost

More companies are expected to join the UAE Space Agency’s efforts to launch a spacecraft to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The agency launched the Space Means Business campaign to encourage the private sector to get involved with the Emirates Mission to the Main Asteroid Belt.

Companies would help develop the MBR Explorer, which is expected to launch in 2028.

In 2024, more contracts between the agency and companies could be signed as the campaign gains momentum.

Lunar Gateway

Nasa administrator Bill Nelson had said in December to “stay tuned” to an announcement regarding Emirati astronauts potentially flying on future Artemis flights to the Moon.

Nasa has plans to build a station in the Moon’s orbit. Called the Lunar Gateway, the station would host astronauts before they land on the lunar surface. Photo: Nasa
Nasa has plans to build a station in the Moon’s orbit. Called the Lunar Gateway, the station would host astronauts before they land on the lunar surface. Photo: Nasa

Artemis is a programme by Nasa that aims to send astronauts to the lunar surface this decade.

The discussions between the US space agency and the UAE could also include the Emirates contributing an airlock to the Lunar Gateway, a small station that Nasa is planning to put into lunar orbit.

The National reported previously that the UAE had expressed interest in providing an airlock for the station.

If a deal goes through, Emirati astronauts could get easier access to the lunar station.

Record-setting 2023 for UAE space sector - in pictures

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Oppenheimer
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War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

  • 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
  • 150 tonnes to landfill
  • 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

 

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0DMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Lightweight%20Title%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAmru%20Magomedov%20def%20Jakhongir%20Jumaev%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERany%20Saadeh%20def%20Genil%20Franciso%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWalter%20Cogliandro%20def%20Ali%20Al%20Qaisi%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERenat%20Khavalov%20def%20Hikaru%20Yoshino%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Nunes%20def%20Nawras%20Abzakh%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20def%20Sanzhar%20Adilov%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullo%20Khodzhaev%20def%20Petru%20Buzdugen%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20139%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERazhabali%20Shaydullaev%20def%20Magomed%20Al-Abdullah%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ECong%20Wang%20def%20Amena%20Hadaya%20-%20Points%20(unanimous%20decision)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKhabib%20Nabiev%20def%20Adis%20Taalaybek%20Uulu%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBartosz%20Szewczyk%20def%20Artem%20Zemlyakov%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

PSL FINAL

Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

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ASIAN%20RUGBY%20CHAMPIONSHIP%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EResults%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EHong%20Kong%2052-5%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESouth%20Korea%2055-5%20Malaysia%3Cbr%3EMalaysia%206-70%20Hong%20Kong%3Cbr%3EUAE%2036-32%20South%20Korea%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFriday%2C%20June%2021%2C%207.30pm%20kick-off%3A%20UAE%20v%20Malaysia%3Cbr%3EAt%20The%20Sevens%2C%20Dubai%20(admission%20is%20free).%3Cbr%3ESaturday%3A%20Hong%20Kong%20v%20South%20Korea%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees

Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme

Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks

Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets

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%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

EA Sports FC 24
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Updated: March 13, 2024, 1:07 PM