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UAE Probe's Deep Space Autonomy Revealed
5 Oct
Summary
- UAE-built probe will explore asteroid belt planets and asteroids.
- Probe operates autonomously, making decisions billions of km from Earth.
- Mission launches in March 2028, reaching Justitia in early 2036.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has unveiled a UAE-built probe destined for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA). This probe, designed, built, and tested in Abu Dhabi, will journey to Colorado, USA, for integration with the MBR Explorer spacecraft before its scheduled March 2028 launch.
The EMA probe's mission is unprecedented, aiming to image two planets and seven asteroids. It will conduct close encounters with six asteroids before reaching its primary target, 269 Justitia, in early 2036. If successful, the landing on Justitia will mark a significant achievement, making it only the seventh asteroid ever landed upon.
A key feature of this probe is its complete autonomy. Operating billions of kilometers from Earth, it will receive no commands after launch. Its sophisticated onboard software, developed by TII, will manage imaging, data selection, and power, enabling it to sense and decide independently. This autonomous capability is crucial for surviving the eight-year journey and executing precise operations upon arrival.
The MBR Explorer spacecraft will travel approximately 5 billion kilometers, utilizing gravity assists from Venus, Earth, and Mars. The probe itself will deploy from the spacecraft during a low-altitude pass in early 2036, descending to the surface of Justitia. The collected images and data will provide invaluable insights into the asteroid's composition and physical characteristics.
Justitia is of particular scientific interest due to its unique spectral properties, resembling objects from the Kuiper Belt more than neighboring asteroids. This suggests it may have formed in the outer Solar System and migrated inward, offering clues about the early formation of the Solar System and the distribution of water and volatiles. The mission is part of the UAE's broader commitment to advancing its space technology capabilities and contributing to global scientific endeavors.
