Bahrain, Egypt and China join forces for historic lunar exploration

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Representatives from the Bahraini National Space Science Agency (NSSA), the Egyptian Space Agency, and the Chinese Space Agency have come together to advance lunar exploration.

Their joint Bahraini-Egyptian lunar exploration project, which triumphed in a global competition organised by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), has earned the privilege to launch its payload on the forthcoming Chang’e 7 lunar mission in 2026.

The Chang’e 7 mission aims to conduct a comprehensive study of the lunar South Pole’s soil, focusing particularly on the frozen water deposits beneath the surface.

This collaboration among the space agencies centres on evaluating the project’s progress and exploring future avenues for cooperation in space exploration.

Significant leap

This partnership represents a significant leap for the Arab world’s ambitions in space exploration.

The data and insights gained from the Bahraini-Egyptian lunar project are set to chart new courses for future advancements in the field, inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers.

Engineer Aisha Al Haram, the Head of the Satellite Design Department at the NSSA, remarked on the unprecedented nature of this Bahraini-Egyptian partnership.

She hailed it as a pioneering venture in lunar exploration, poised to elevate Bahrain’s standing in the space domain.

Al Haram pointed out that this initiative will present the Bahrain Space Team with challenges that demand creative and groundbreaking solutions, ultimately enriching their expertise and driving forward research and development.

Sophisticated technology

Dr Ayman Mahmoud, the Director General of the Space Payloads Department at the Egyptian Space Agency and a key board member, emphasised the sophisticated technological prowess underlying this historical project.

He noted how these advanced technologies will enable precise lunar surface exploration, crucial for identifying potential resources in the South Pole region.

This, Mahmoud added, will be essential in selecting optimal landing sites for future lunar missions and facilitating the extraction of vital resources.