NASA and UAE collaborate on Artemis Lunar Gateway's Airlock Module

NASA and UAE collaborate on Artemis Lunar Gateway's Airlock Module
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Jan 09, 2024

In a significant step forward for international space collaboration, NASA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a novel partnership. The UAE's space agency will provide a crucial airlock for the Gateway, the forthcoming space station that will orbit the Moon. This facility is a key component of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon for the benefit of all.

Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in space, remarked, "By combining our resources, scientific capacity, and technical skill, the U.S. and UAE will further our collective vision for space and ensure it presents extraordinary opportunities for everyone here on Earth."

Under this new implementing arrangement, MBRSC will contribute the Gateway's Crew and Science Airlock module. This addition is not just a technological contribution; it also includes the participation of a UAE astronaut in a future Artemis mission to the lunar space station.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the historic nature of this collaboration, stating, "The United States and the United Arab Emirates are marking a historic moment in our nations' collaboration in space, and the future of human space exploration." He further noted the role of Artemis in entering a new era of exploration, emphasizing the peaceful and international exploration of space.

The provision of the airlock by the UAE is more than a mere hardware contribution. It will enable astronauts to conduct extensive science research in deep space and prepare for future missions, even potentially to Mars. Moreover, the MBRSC will also provide ongoing engineering support for the lifespan of the lunar space station.

The Lunar Gateway, pivotal to NASA's Artemis program, is poised to be humanity's first space station in lunar orbit. It will support sustained exploration and research in deep space, offering a habitat for astronauts and serving as a staging point for lunar surface missions. Additionally, the Gateway will facilitate spacewalks in lunar orbit.

The Artemis program stands as the most diverse and broad coalition in human space exploration. Alongside contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the MBRSC's involvement marks a significant expansion in international cooperation.

This latest partnership builds upon the existing human spaceflight collaboration between NASA and the UAE. The UAE has already made notable strides in space exploration, including sending the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Almansoori, to the International Space Station in 2019 and Sultan Al Neyadi in 2023 on NASA's SpaceX Crew-6 mission. These missions have included significant scientific research and educational outreach. Furthermore, two more Emirati astronaut candidates are currently in training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.