NASA and the United Arab Emirates have jointly announced the introduction of the Artemis Lunar Gateway Airlock.

NASA and the United Arab Emirates have jointly announced the introduction of the Artemis Lunar Gateway Airlock.

Credit Image :MBRS space center

 

NASA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have exciting plans for the future of space exploration. They recently announced that the MBRSC will be providing an airlock for Gateway, which will be humanity's first space station orbiting the Moon. This lunar space station will play a crucial role in supporting NASA's long-term missions to explore the Moon under the Artemis program, benefiting everyone.

Big news: To the Moon, together.@MBRSpaceCentre will provide Gateway’s airlock, and @NASA will fly a UAE astronaut to Gateway on a @NASAArtemis mission. More: https://t.co/4IIGrkj0br pic.twitter.com/JlPWeS6hls

— NASA's Gateway Program (@NASA_Gateway) January 7, 2024

 

Vice President Kamala Harris, as the chair of the National Space Council, expressed her commitment to enhancing international cooperation in space. She emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, affirming that through the integration of their resources, scientific capabilities, and technical expertise, they will advance their shared vision for space and unlock remarkable prospects for all individuals on the planet.

Today, we announced the UAE’s @MBRSpaceCentre will provide the Crew and Science Airlock for @NASA_Gateway, humanity’s first space station that will orbit the Moon. This is an exciting moment for international collaboration in the cosmos and the future of human space exploration! pic.twitter.com/dPLktmZ7XM

— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) January 7, 2024

 

As part of the collaboration, MBRSC will not only provide Gateway's Crew and Science Airlock module but also send a UAE astronaut on a future Artemis mission to the lunar space station. This marks a historic moment in the collaboration between the two nations and sets the stage for the future of human space exploration.

 

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that it signifies a new era of exploration through Artemis. He highlighted the peaceful and international nature of space exploration and expressed gratitude for the UAE's provision of the airlock, which will enable groundbreaking scientific research in deep space and help pave the way for future missions to Mars.

 

In addition to operating the airlock, MBRSC will also provide engineering support for the lunar space station throughout its lifespan. The airlock will facilitate transfers of crew members and scientific research between Gateway's pressurized crew modules and the vacuum of space. These transfers will not only support broader scientific endeavors in the deep space environment but also contribute to the maintenance of Gateway.

 

This collaboration between NASA and MBRSC represents a significant step forward in the exploration of space and highlights the power of international cooperation in achieving ambitious goals. Together, they are shaping the future of space exploration and opening up new possibilities for humanity's journey beyond Earth.

1. NASA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have recently announced a collaboration to build an airlock for Gateway, the first space station that will orbit the Moon. Additionally, this partnership includes plans for a UAE astronaut to travel to Gateway on a future Artemis mission.

 

2. The airlock module provided by MBRSC, known as the Crew and Science Airlock module, will play a crucial role in facilitating transfers between Gateway's pressurized crew modules and the vacuum of space. This module will support groundbreaking scientific research in deep space and contribute to the long-term exploration of the Moon, as well as preparations for future missions to Mars.

 

3. The Gateway Space Station is an important component of NASA's Artemis program. It will serve as a living space for astronauts, support research and exploration in deep space, and act as a staging point for missions to the lunar surface. Ultimately, the Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send the first astronauts to Mars.

 

4. Previous collaborations between NASA and MBRSC include the participation of the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Almansoori, in a mission to the International Space Station in 2019. In 2023, another Emirati astronaut, Sultan Al Neyadi, conducted scientific research on the floating laboratory. Currently, the UAE has two more astronaut candidates undergoing training at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

A close-up artist rendering of a government-reference airlock module for the Gateway space station. Image Credit: NASA Creator Credit: Alberto Bertolin, Bradley Reynolds

A close-up artist rendering of a government-reference airlock module for the Gateway space station. Image Credit: NASA Creator Credit: Alberto Bertolin, Bradley Reynolds

MBRS Space Center

 

5. This partnership holds great significance as it represents a historic moment in international cooperation for space exploration. It strengthens the bond between NASA and the UAE, contributes to the diversity and broad coalition of nations involved in the Artemis program, and paves the way for scientific discoveries and human presence in deep space.