UAE Announces Winners of 'Planet X Challenge' to Explore Asteroid Belt

The UAE Space Agency announced the winners of its "Planet X Challenge" at the Dubai Airshow 2025, drawing over 450 students from across the Emirates to compete in designing space technology for the country's ambitious asteroid belt exploration mission. The competition marks a significant push to build homegrown talent in the UAE's rapidly expanding space sector.

Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said the initiative reflects the country's commitment to encouraging young national talent to contribute innovative solutions that strengthen the UAE's leadership in space. "This initiative creates a scientific platform that combines academic knowledge with practical experience, giving participants real opportunities to apply their ideas in projects with future impact," he explained.

The competition featured two main challenges. The "Landing Vehicle Challenge," organized with startup Space Point, attracted more than 450 students from various academic institutions, with 40 making it to the finals. Students had to design, assemble, and test a 1U landing craft capable of executing a controlled landing on a simulated asteroid surface as part of the UAE's asteroid belt exploration mission.

Three student teams won the landing vehicle challenge after presenting innovative engineering solutions. Team "Al Najm" (The Star) stood out with an advanced CubeSat-type landing craft project that impressed judges with its technical sophistication.

The second competition, the "Space Awareness Applications Challenge" in partnership with Khalifa University, drew 45 students who designed smart applications centered around asteroids to support the UAE's mission. Three innovative projects won this category as well.

Abdullah Al Salmani, co-founder and CEO of Space Point, said he was impressed by the high quality of landing craft designs received. "It was remarkable to see high school students competing strongly with university teams and securing their place in the finals - that's a fantastic achievement. Having more than 22 universities from across the UAE participate clearly reflects the national passion for practical innovation."

The competition comes as the UAE positions itself as a major player in space exploration, following successful missions like the Hope Mars probe and the Emirates Lunar Mission. The asteroid belt exploration project represents the next phase of the country's space ambitions, requiring advanced technologies and skilled personnel that initiatives like Planet X Challenge aim to develop.

Professor Ibrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, said the multi-disciplinary competition aims to inspire a new generation of student scientists to explore career paths in space, aviation, and advanced technologies. "We hope this will contribute to building a unique, integrated ecosystem of innovation and excellence in the UAE," he added.

Aisha Sharafi, Capacity Development Manager for the UAE Asteroid Belt Exploration Mission Project, noted that winning solutions will directly support the UAE's asteroid missions by enhancing mission team efficiency and improving simulation and training capabilities. This practical application gives students real stakes in the country's space program rather than just theoretical exercises.

The initiative reflects broader trends in the Gulf region, where countries are investing heavily in space technology and education to diversify their economies beyond oil. For the UAE, developing local expertise in space technology reduces dependence on foreign contractors and creates high-value jobs for Emirati graduates in science and engineering fields.