Khalifa University Aerospace Engineering student have participated in developing a first-of-its-kind lander and drone, distinguished by its advanced lunar lander technology during an internship at ArianeGroup’s Orbital Propulsion Center in Germany.
Ahmed Al Awani from Khalifa University was part of the internship organized through the Jusoor 2024 Program, an initiative by Sandooq Al Watan, the UAE Space Agency, and the German Emirati Institute’s Academic Entrepreneurship Program.
Khalifa University provides a range of aerospace engineering programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supplemented by a research center focused on real-world challenges and technology innovation. The university also hosts the KU Space and Planetary Sciences Group (SPSG), which participates in national and international space missions, including those targeting the Moon, Mars, comets, and the Kuiper Belt. SPSG additionally supports the development and training of future Emirati and Arab space science professionals.
Ahmed Al Awani said: “At ArianeGroup, we developed a special type of lander and drone, aiming to make it unique by integrating advanced technology that enables it to function like a lunar lander. This is a first-of-its-kind achievement, and I would like to thank the German Emirati Institute and Khalifa University for their incredible support throughout this journey and for inspiring us as aspiring engineers in this field.”
Al Awani’s role was to help in the design and implementation of the lunar lander and drone, which can transport essential equipment and materials to the moon’s surface. The drone is designed to conduct aerial surveys and gather high-resolution data, which is vital for future lunar explorations. Cutting-edge propulsion systems was a crucial aspect of the work and were developed according to the requirements of the mission.
