An advanced artificial intelligence flight computer will help the UAE's lunar rover explore the surface of the Moon.
The navigation computer is being developed by Canadian space firm Mission Control Space Services.
It will recognise geological features as the Emirati rover, Rashid, drives around the unstable terrain of the lunar surface.
The computer will be installed on a Japanese lander that will take Rashid to the Moon next year, from where it will receive data from the rover. It will also send information back to Earth to be studied by scientists at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
“With the support of the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian scientists and engineers will be able to participate in near-term missions to the lunar surface,” said Ewan Reid, president and chief executive of Mission Control.
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Hind Bin Jarsh AlFalasi, 24, is the Emirati woman who has designed the logo for UAE's lunar mission. Reem Mohammed/The National -
The Emirates Lunar Mission logo as revealed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. It features the signature of Sheikh Rashid, the late ruler of Dubai. Courtesy: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Twitter -
The logo will be featured on the Rashid Rover, which is slated for launch in 2022. Courtesy: MBRSC -
Ms AlFalasi wanted to personalise the logo and show the mission's importance, so she added Sheikh Rashid's signature and inscribed it on top of the Moon. Reem Mohammed/The National -
Only three countries have been able to land missions on the Moon so far. Courtesy: MBRSC -
China is attempting another lunar mission. Its Chang'e 5 spacecraft has entered lunar orbit and aims to bring back rock and soil samples. UAE's lunar mission also aims to study lunar soil, as well as dust. Here, a Long March-5 rocket carrying the Chinese spacecraft lifts off on November 24. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein -
Ms Al Falasi's career as a graphic designer has taken off. She will also be helping design the logo for the MBZ-Sat satellite, UAE's first fully in-house built spacecraft. Reem Mohammed/The National -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is carrying out the Emirates Lunar Mission. Reem Mohammed/The National
Rashid will explore the near side of the Moon, which offers a smoother surface with fewer craters, but the terrain is still unpredictable.
The four-wheeled rover can climb over an obstacle at a maximum height of 10 centimetres and descend a 20-degree slope.
But some basins on the near side of the moon are so steep that it would be impossible for the rover to climb out, were it to fall into one.
The team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has shortlisted unexplored landing locations. The final decision will be based on an area that offers the most scientific value and security for the Arab world's first lunar rover.
The navigation computer by Mission Control will include an AI application that will use deep-learning algorithms to recognise geological features in images captured by the rover.
“This research will explore techniques for more advanced rover navigation,” said Dr Melissa Battler, Mission Control’s chief science officer.
“By demonstrating this new technology on the moon, we will not only unlock potential autonomous decision-making capabilities for future rovers, but better support planetary-science missions going forward.”
The company secured a $3.04 million fund from the Canadian Space Agency's Lunar Exploration Accelerator Programme, part of which will be used to develop the computer.
Japanese firm iSpace is building the Hakuto-Reboot lander that will deliver the rover to the Moon. Both will take off on board a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida late next year.
The Emirates Lunar Mission will also be provided with wired communication and power during the cruise phase and wireless communication on the lunar surface by iSpace.
Rashid will study the properties of lunar soil, the geology of the moon, dust movement and its photoelectron sheath for one lunar day – about two weeks.
It will send back more than 1,000 images of the lunar surface.
Dr Hamad Al Marzooqi, project manager of the Emirates Lunar Mission, said it would be the first study of the photoelectron sheath.
"It is a phenomenon that is created on the lunar surface due to the continuous bombardment of solar wind and cosmic rays," he said.
UAE's mission to Mars – in pictures
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National -
A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter -
UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National -
The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
