Mon 20 July 2020:
The United Arab Emirates launched its first mission to Mars on Monday – the Arab world’s first – as it strives to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil.
The rocket carrying the probe took off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center, marking the beginning of an almost 500 million kilometer journey into space.
The UAE Mars mission’s deputy project manager and Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, Sarah al-Amiri, told Dubai TV from the launch site: “This is the future of the UAE.”
“Hope belongs to millions of young people in this region who long for progress, inspiration and opportunity; it’s a direct challenge to those who continue to suppress these aspirations,” tweeted Hend al-Otaiba, director of strategic communications at the UAE’s foreign ministry.
The mission was initially due to launch on July 14, but was delayed by bad weather.
Just over an hour after launch, the probe deployed solar panels to power its systems and established radio communication with the mission on earth.
There are currently eight active missions exploring Mars; some orbit the planet and some have landed on its surface. China and the United States each plan to send another this year.
Hazza al-Mansouri became the first Emirati in space last September when he flew to the International Space Station.
Emiratis and Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) worked with US educational institutions to develop and build the Hope Probe.
The MBRSC space centre in Dubai will oversee the spacecraft during its 494 million km (307 million mile) journey at an average speed of 121,000kph.
The Emirates Mars Mission has cost $200 million, and Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad al-Gergawi said the cost is considered “among the lowest in the world when compared with similar programs.”
The UAE’s Mars Mission’s duration is estimated to last for one Martian year (approximately two Earth years, or 687 days), according to the UAE Space Agency.
The UAE first announced plans for this mission in 2014 and launched a National Space Program in 2017.
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