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UAE unveils lander for bold 7-asteroid mission set to launch in 2028 (photos)
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Fusion42 · 12 October 2026 · Fusion42 review
The UAE has unveiled a lander for its ambitious Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, launching in 2028 to explore seven asteroids including a landing on the red asteroid 269 Justitia. The mission aims to conduct flybys and ultimately land to study potentially water-related minerals and organic compounds, with a planned launch from Japan and an eight-year duration.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Government & Space, and 2 sources have reported it between 4 Oct 2026 and 12 Oct 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
The UAE has shown it can build advanced space probes, opening the door to aerospace startups in satellite tech and deep space engineering. You can tap into this as national space programs shift from agencies to private sector partnerships.
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2 sources · first reported 4 Oct 2026 · latest 12 Oct 2026
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