countdown for the nation's first-ever mission to the moon

Today marks the beginning of the official 10-day countdown for the nation's first-ever mission to the moon.

As a result of a revised launch date and time that will depend on the weather, the UAE has started counting down to the launch of the first Emirati mission to the Moon.

The UAE's Rashid rover will be launched on the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander by the Japanese lunar exploration company ispace on November 28 at 12.46 GMT (9.46 am UTC). A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida's Space Launch Complex 40.

With ispace on track to become the first business to conduct a commercial freight voyage to the Moon, it is a historic expedition for the UAE, Japan, and the private sector.

The Rashid rover is one of many official and commercial payloads that Mission 1 will send to the Moon.

A small group of Emiratis at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai constructed the 10kg rover.

In order to research the Moon's geology and lunar dust, the four-wheel rover will stay on its surface for one lunar day, which is equal to 14 days on Earth. It is anticipated that it will use high-resolution cameras to capture thousands of photographs of its surroundings.