Bahrain and Egypt collaboration project earns place on 2026 Chinese lunar exploration mission

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The National Space Science Authority (NSSA) has announced the success of the joint Bahraini-Egyptian venture in a global competition hosted by the Chinese Space Agency.

The winning project secures a spot aboard the Chang’e-7 lunar exploration mission slated for 2026, aiming to probe the lunar south pole’s soil composition, including the presence of water ice.

This initiative entails the development, testing, and deployment of a multispectral camera, tasked with analysing lunar surface materials.

It underscores Arab prowess in lunar exploration, showcasing regional competencies’ capability to compete on the global space science stage.

The collaboration between Bahrain and Egypt stems from a 2022 memorandum of understanding, signifying the strategic partnership’s commitment to advancing scientific frontiers.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Asiri, CEO of NSSA, hailed the achievement as a testament to Arab cooperation’s potential in pioneering future space endeavours.

Significance

Echoing Dr. Al-Asiri’s sentiments, Professor Dr. Sherif Sedqy, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, emphasised the win’s significance in bolstering international collaboration and propelling space exploration missions forward.

Dr. Ayman Mahmoud, Director General of the Space Payloads Department at the Egyptian Space Agency, highlighted the groundbreaking technology underpinning the project, poised to unlock invaluable insights into lunar resources.

Engineer Aisha Al Haram, Head of the Satellite Design Department at NSSA, underscored the technical intricacies involved in the project, underscoring its potential to enrich Bahrain’s space exploration expertise and contribute to future research and economic development opportunities.