MBR Explorer

MBR Explorer

Mission type	Asteroid multiple-flyby/orbiter/lander
Operator	Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
Mission duration	Flyby phase: 8.5 years Orbiter phase: 7 months
Start of mission
Launch date	March 2028
Rocket	H3
Launch site	Tanegashima, LA-Y2
Contractor	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Flyby of Venus (gravity assist)
Closest approach	July 2028[1]
Flyby of Earth (gravity assist)
Closest approach	May 2029
Flyby of 10253 Westerwald
Closest approach	February 2030
Flyby of 623 Chimaera
Closest approach	June 2030
Flyby of 13294 Rockox
Closest approach	January 2031
Flyby of Mars (gravity assist)
Closest approach	September 2031
Flyby of (88055) 2000 VA28
Closest approach	July 2032
Flyby of (23871) 1998 RC76
Closest approach	December 2032
Flyby of (59980) 1999 SG6
Closest approach	August 2033
269 Justitia orbiter
Orbital insertion	October 2034
269 Justitia lander
Landing date	May 2035

The MBR Explorer is a planned UAESA space probe designed to journey to seven different main belt asteroids.^[2][3] Proposed under the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, it is named in recognition of the foundational role driving the creation and growth of the UAE Space Program played by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.^[4]

The mission to explore the asteroid belt was announced by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency in May 2023, and the launch is planned for March 2028.^[5][6][7] Similarly to their previous Mars mission, the MBR Explorer will launch from Tanegashima Space Center, this time on an H3.^[8]

The spacecraft will weigh around 2.8 tonnes and will travel at an average speed of 33,000 km/h.^[9]

The MBR Explorer will visit asteroids 10253 Westerwald, 623 Chimaera, 13294 Rockox, (88055) 2000 VA₂₈, (23871) 1998 RC₇₆, and (59980) 1999 SG₆, in a 5-billion-kilometre total journey,^[4][10] and will attempt to land on its seventh and final asteroid, 269 Justitia in 2034.^[9]

The spacecraft will also drop off a small lander to set down on Justitia's surface.^[6]

See also

• Lucy, an ongoing NASA mission that will similarly fly by various Jupiter trojans.
• DESTINY+, a planned JAXA mission that will fly past multiple asteroids.

References

1. Foust, Jeff (2023-06-03). "UAE outlines plans for asteroid mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
2. "UAE announces space mission to land MBR Explorer on asteroid 5 billion kilometres away". Arabian Business. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
3. "Touring Through the Asteroid Belt: United Arab Emirates Unveils Bold Mission". SpaceRef. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
4. "Arabian spacecraft to search asteroid belt for clues to life's origins". ABC News. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
5. Foust, Jeff (3 June 2023). "UAE outlines plans for asteroid mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
6. Kenneth Chang (May 29, 2023). "The United Arab Emirates Is Heading for the Asteroid Belt". The New York Times.
7. Sarwat Nasir (May 29, 2023). "MBR Explorer: UAE unveils details of its mission to the main asteroid belt". The National. Abu Dhabi.
8. Foust, Jeff (2024-10-10). "Japan's H3 to launch Emirati asteroid mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
9. "MBR Explorer: All about UAE's new space mission to Asteroid Belt". Gulf News. 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
10. "Ambitious Emirati Mission Seeks to Visit 7 Asteroids and Land on the Big Red One". Gizmodo. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-06-08.