Arab mission to explore seven asteroids, including a red one.
The United Arab Emirates' deep space mission to explore the asteroid belt will visit seven main-belt asteroids, with a rendezvous with the asteroid 269 Justitia in April 2034. The asteroid has a very reddish hue, likely due to the presence of organic compounds called tholins on its surface. The mission seeks to better explain the origin and evolution of water-rich asteroids, as well as understand their potential as resource depots for future deep space exploration missions. Another goal is public engagement to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers in the Middle East.