The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary mission by an Arab nation, has announced the successful completion of TCM3 – a colossal milestone for the UAE’s mission to Mars.
With 189 million kilometres to go, the Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe is set to reach its planned orbit around Mars on February 9, 2021, making the UAE the fifth nation to reach the Red Planet – a major historic achievement for the UAE.
“Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe is an important milestone in the UAE’s history. Its expected arrival at Mars coincides with the nation’s golden jubilee celebrations and reaffirms our wise leadership’s determination to continue the achievements of the founding fathers of the UAE and become one of the best nations globally in the next 50 years,” said Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency and EMM Science Lead.
The Emirates Mars Mission and The Hope Probe is a strategic initiative that was announced in 2014 and the Hope Probe was launched on July 20, 2020.
It has already covered 60 percent of its journey (which is equivalent to 290 million kilometres) in just 111 days since its launch.
“The Hope Probe mission is the culmination of a 50-year journey, which began in 1971. It also marks the beginning of another 50 years that will bring about major achievements based in the fields of science, knowledge and innovation. Our nation does not have the word impossible in its dictionary and our leadership will not settle for anything less than the first place,” said His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai also tweeted:
The Hope probe has completed its last trajectory correction maneuver after travelling 290 million km into space in 111 days. We officially announce Hope probe will arrive to Mars on Feb. 9, 2021 at 7:42pm UAE timing. We will celebrate the arrival of the first Arab mission to Mars
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 8, 2020
Having already completed the launch and early operations phases, the Hope Probe is currently in the third of six stages of its journey.
The Hope Probe carries three tools to measure and study Martian atmosphere, and weighs about 1,350 kilos – the size of a small car. The Hope Probe will remain in scientific orbit for a full Martian year, which is equivalent to 687 days on earth and continue to take pictures of Mars and send them to the earth station.
Ready to witness UAE history being made? You can keep up-to-date with the Emirates Mars Mission via its newly redesigned website which allows space enthusiasts to follow the Hope Probe’s journey and learn about the progress of the mission and the different phases of the journey.
For your up-to-the-minute guide to what’s happening in Dubai, head here. For Abu Dhabi click here and for Sharjah click here.
www.emiratesmarsmission.ae.
