UAE’s Hope Probe Enters Mars Orbit in First Arab Mission
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’ first mission to Mars has successfully reached the red planet and entered orbit on Tuesday after a seven-month, and 494 million km journey.
The First Arab Mission will now start sending data about the Martian atmosphere and climate.
“Contact with #HopeProbe has been established again. The Mars Orbit Insertion is now complete,” the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) said.
Success!
— Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) February 9, 2021
Contact with #HopeProbe has been established again.
The Mars Orbit Insertion is now complete.#ArabsToMars
This mission makes the UAE the fifth space agency to reach Mars.
The Mars programme is part of the UAE’s efforts to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil. The UAE Space Agency even has a plan for a Mars settlement by 2117.
The Emirates Mars Mission has cost around $200 million and it was launched from a Japanese space centre on 20, July 2020.
