Sheikh Mohammed Witnesses MoU Signing With Thales Alenia Space For Lunar Gateway Development
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, observed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Thales Alenia Space. This agreement makes Thales Alenia Space a strategic partner in developing the Pressure Equalisation Unit for the Gateway lunar space station.
The signing event occurred at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Present were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan expressed his delight at attending the agreement signing with Thales Alenia Space alongside the Italian Space Agency's President. He stated that this partnership is crucial for achieving the UAE’s space exploration ambitions. "This trailblazing project will usher in a new era of human space exploration," he noted.
The UAE's involvement in developing the Pressure Equalisation Unit aims to bolster its global standing in space science and technology. Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of MBRSC, highlighted that this achievement reflects leadership's guidance in transforming ambition into action.
The Pressure Equalisation Unit will be developed through five stages: planning, design, qualification process, flight preparation, and operations. The planning stage involves setting objectives and strategies for creating the unit. Detailed designs will be developed during the design phase.
Salem Humaid AlMarri from MBRSC emphasised that strategic partnerships with global entities like Thales Alenia Space enhance their ability to develop advanced solutions supporting future space exploration. "The Emirates Airlock represents a key component in constructing essential infrastructure for lunar missions," he said.
The Gateway lunar space station is integral to NASA’s Artemis programme and will orbit the Moon as part of international collaboration efforts. It will support astronauts on missions by providing essential functions and hosting them for extended periods.
The UAE announced its participation in January 2024 to develop a module on this station alongside partners like the USA, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. This project includes sending an Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit.
The UAE will operate the Pressure Equalisation Unit for up to 15 years with potential extensions. The unit weighs 10 tonnes with dimensions of 10 metres long by 4 metres wide within a station size of 19 x 20 x 42M.
This involvement ensures a permanent seat for UAE contributions to lunar exploration programmes while gaining priority access to scientific data gathered by the station.
Hamad Obaid AlMansoori from MBRSC noted that their leadership's support enables remarkable achievements in global space sectors through partnerships like those with Thales Alenia Space.
"Our partnership with Thales Alenia Space represents a crucial step to enhance innovation," he stated regarding advancing technologies within space exploration fields.
The Gateway lunar space station supports studies related to solar radiation as part of its vision for future Mars missions beyond just lunar exploration efforts alone.
"I would like to sincerely thank the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre for putting its trust in our company," said Hervé Derrey from Thales Alenia Space about their role within this ambitious project aimed at advancing human presence beyond Earth’s orbit.
With inputs from WAM
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