Rashid Rover 2 clears key tests ahead of Moon mission

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) says the UAE's Rashid Rover 2 has passed a new round of critical tests in the United States, carried out with Firefly Aerospace ahead of its mission to the far side of the Moon in 2026.

Engineers ran electrical, software and mechanical checks to make sure the rover can seamlessly interface with Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander.

They also tested wireless communications between the two systems, and carried out deployment and drive-off trials to confirm the rover can safely roll onto the lunar surface under different conditions.

Dr. Hamad AlMarzooqi, Project Manager, Emirates Lunar Mission at MBRSC, says the tests mark a major milestone, ensuring the rover and lander work together reliably throughout the mission.

Rashid Rover 2 will fly aboard Blue Ghost Mission 2 alongside payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency and NASA.

Once on the Moon, the rover will study the surface environment, including geology, temperature, plasma activity and lunar soil properties.

Firefly Aerospace says the completion of testing brings the joint mission a step closer to launch and promises new scientific insights from the Moon’s far side.

The Emirates Lunar Mission is funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, which aims to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre successfully conducts a new series of tests on Rashid Rover 2 in the USA, in collaboration with Firefly Aerospace as part of the Emirates Lunar Mission’s ongoing preparations for launch to the far side of the Moon onboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost… pic.twitter.com/SrRgAtgOYb

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 11, 2025