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.
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