• The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander is delivered to Florida's Cape Canaveral from where it will carry the UAE's Rashid rover to the Moon. Photo: ispace
    The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander is delivered to Florida's Cape Canaveral from where it will carry the UAE's Rashid rover to the Moon. Photo: ispace
  • The Hakuto lander with the Rashid rover stored inside, ready to be shipped to Florida. Photo: ispace
    The Hakuto lander with the Rashid rover stored inside, ready to be shipped to Florida. Photo: ispace
  • Rashid lunar rover's final prototype. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Rashid lunar rover's final prototype. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • An Emirati engineer tested the Moon rover in remote desert areas of Dubai. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    An Emirati engineer tested the Moon rover in remote desert areas of Dubai. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, project manager of the Emirates lunar mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, project manager of the Emirates lunar mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Development of the lander nears completion. Photo: ispace
    Development of the lander nears completion. Photo: ispace
  • Emirati engineers test parts of the Rashid rover. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    Emirati engineers test parts of the Rashid rover. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Emirati engineers test parts of the Rashid rover. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    Emirati engineers test parts of the Rashid rover. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • A full Moon gleams above Buenos Aires. AFP
    A full Moon gleams above Buenos Aires. AFP

Launch window for UAE Moon mission revealed


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE’s Moon rover will be launched on a date between November 9 and 15 from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida.

Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, mission manager at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, spoke exclusively to The National on Monday about the mission’s progress and the launch window.

The space centre is participating in the International Astronautical Congress — the world’s largest space conference — in Paris, taking place until September 22.

He said that the exact launch date would be announced a month before the launch window opened.

Japanese lander Hakuto-R Mission 1, built by ispace, will carry the Rashid rover to the Moon’s surface. The mission will launch on a Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket.

“We’ve finished with the testing of the rover and we are happy with the results,” Dr Al Marzooqi said.

“The rover has been integrated with the lander and it is ready for launch." The health of the rover is being monitored twice a week, Dr Al Marzooqi said.

He said that the lander, together with all of its payloads, was expected to be delivered from Germany to the launch site in mid-October.

This is the first mission under the UAE’s long-term Moon exploration programme, which will involve the development and launch of several rovers and orbiters.

The Rashid mission will last one lunar day, or 14 Earth days. It aims to study the properties of lunar soil, the petrography and geology of the Moon, dust movement as well as the lunar surface plasma condition and photoelectron sheath.

The goal is to land in the Atlas crater in the Mare Frigoris site, located in the far-north of the Moon’s near side.

Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission manager. Sarwat Nasir / The National
Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission manager. Sarwat Nasir / The National

Dr Al Marzooqi said that he is feeling “more relaxed now” because the testing of the rover has gone smoothly.

“We did the difficult bits. We did all that we can do for such a mission — delivering the rover to the lander and integrating it,” he said.

“When we saw the rover the last time we were really thinking ‘hopefully, we’ll see it on the lunar surface next’.”

He said that the mission was expected to arrive on the lunar surface in March.

The UAE has already announced its second Moon mission, which involves another rover.

A Chinese lander will carry the spacecraft to the surface later this decade, as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission.

Dr Al Marzooqi said that the details of that mission would be announced soon.

International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris - in pictures

  • The International Astronautical Congress - world's largest space congress - is taking place at the Paris Convention Centre from September 18 to 22. All photos: Sarwat Nasir / The National
    The International Astronautical Congress - world's largest space congress - is taking place at the Paris Convention Centre from September 18 to 22. All photos: Sarwat Nasir / The National
  • Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission director, attends the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission director, attends the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • A visitor takes a photo of a spacesuit that Indian astronauts will wear one day.
    A visitor takes a photo of a spacesuit that Indian astronauts will wear one day.
  • French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne speaks at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne speaks at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • French Prime Minister speaks at IAC 2022 in Paris.
    French Prime Minister speaks at IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • Visitors attend the opening ceremony of the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    Visitors attend the opening ceremony of the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • Japan's space agency Jaxa is displaying asteroid samples at the space conference in Paris.
    Japan's space agency Jaxa is displaying asteroid samples at the space conference in Paris.
  • The Lockheed Martin stand at IAC 2022 in Paris displays satellites.
    The Lockheed Martin stand at IAC 2022 in Paris displays satellites.
  • Visitors at the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    Visitors at the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • A model of the H2-A rocket at Japan's space agency JAXA's stand at IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A model of the H2-A rocket at Japan's space agency JAXA's stand at IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • Nasa's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Nasa's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre are also participating at this year's IAC in Paris.
    The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre are also participating at this year's IAC in Paris.
  • A rocket display at the stand of the Indian space agency, or ISRO, at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A rocket display at the stand of the Indian space agency, or ISRO, at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander by ispace, the Japanese private company that will help the UAE land its rover on the Moon next month.
    The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander by ispace, the Japanese private company that will help the UAE land its rover on the Moon next month.
  • A model of an exploration rover and astronaut suit at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A model of an exploration rover and astronaut suit at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The Saudi space agency's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    The Saudi space agency's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • An astronaut suit by the Indian space agency ISRO.
    An astronaut suit by the Indian space agency ISRO.
  • Rocket models at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Rocket models at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Suad%20Amiry%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pantheon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20304%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scream%20VI
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Bettinelli-Olpin%20and%20Tyler%20Gillett%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Melissa%20Barrera%2C%20Jasmin%20Savoy%20Brown%2C%20Jack%20Champion%2C%20Dermot%20Mulroney%2C%20Jenna%20Ortega%2C%20Hayden%20Panettiere%20and%20Courteney%20Cox%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel

6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

ATP WORLD No 1

2004 Roger Federer

2005 Roger Federer

2006 Roger Federer

2007 Roger Federer

2008 Rafael Nadal

2009 Roger Federer

2010 Rafael Nadal

2011 Novak Djokovic

2012 Novak Djokovic

2013 Rafael Nadal

2014 Novak Djokovic

2015 Novak Djokovic

2016 Andy Murray

2017 Rafael Nadal

2018 Novak Djokovic

2019 Rafael Nadal

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Belong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Askew%20and%20Matthew%20Gaziano%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243.5%20million%20from%20crowd%20funding%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GCC-UK%20Growth
%3Cp%3EAn%20FTA%20with%20the%20GCC%20would%20be%20very%20significant%20for%20the%20UK.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20My%20Department%20has%20forecast%20that%20it%20could%20generate%20an%20additional%20%C2%A31.6%20billion%20a%20year%20for%20our%20economy.%3Cbr%3EWith%20consumer%20demand%20across%20the%20GCC%20predicted%20to%20increase%20to%20%C2%A3800%20billion%20by%202035%20this%20deal%20could%20act%20as%20a%20launchpad%20from%20which%20our%20firms%20can%20boost%20their%20market%20share.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THE BIO

Age: 30

Favourite book: The Power of Habit

Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"

Favourite exercise: The snatch

Favourite colour: Blue

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face

The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.

The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran. 

Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf. 

"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said. 

Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer. 

The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy. 

 

FINAL RESULT

Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)

Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2

Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross

SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20625%20bhp%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20630Nm%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh974%2C011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Third Test

Result: India won by 203 runs

Series: England lead five-match series 2-1

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%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
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Hot%20Seat
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20James%20Cullen%20Bressack%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Mel%20Gibson%2C%20Kevin%20Dillon%2C%20Shannen%20Doherty%2C%20Sam%20Asghari%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
I Care A Lot

Directed by: J Blakeson

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage

3/5 stars

Most F1 world titles

7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)

7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)

5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)

4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)

4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)

Updated: September 19, 2022, 11:52 AM