UAE unveils lander for 7-asteroid mission launching in 2028

The UAE presented a half-scale model of the lander for its Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, set to launch from Japan in March 2028. Over eight years the spacecraft will fly by six asteroids before reaching 269 Justitia in 2036, where the lander will attempt a hard touchdown.

• EMA launches from Japan in March 2028 within a three-week window
• The mission will fly by six asteroids and reach 269 Justitia by 2036
• Total distance is about 5 billion km with gravity assists from Venus, Earth and Mars
• The lander will hit the surface at 15–27 m/s and is not expected to survive