Hope Probe's Historic Arrival at Mars: A Milestone for the UAE
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Chapter 1: The Arrival of Hope
The Mars Hope Probe, the first interplanetary spacecraft launched by an Arab nation, successfully reached the Red Planet, making it a key player in the 2021 Martian missions.
On February 9, 2021, the Hope Probe, central to the Emirates Mars Mission, entered orbit around Mars, a groundbreaking achievement for the UAE. This historic event was quickly followed by China's Tianwen-1 mission arriving at Mars the next day, with NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover scheduled to land on February 18.
“The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) represents the UAE’s inaugural mission to Mars, aiming to orbit the planet and examine the dynamics of its atmosphere on a global scale, considering both daily and seasonal variations,” reported the UAE Space Agency.
As the spacecraft neared Mars, iconic public structures across the UAE were illuminated in red, celebrating the mission's success even before the probe completed its journey. “I have goosebumps. This is an incredible accomplishment,” remarked Fahad Al Meheiri, a senior official at the UAE Space Agency, during a broadcast on Dubai One.
This ambitious $200 million mission, known as Amal in Arabic, is equipped with a suite of three instruments: a high-resolution camera and ultraviolet and infrared spectrometers.
“The Hope Probe will be the first to deliver a comprehensive overview of the Martian atmosphere and its layers, addressing critical queries about the atmospheric loss of hydrogen and oxygen over a Martian year,” stated the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
It's Been a Long Journey to Mars
Launched on July 20, 2020, from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan aboard an H-2A rocket, Hope traveled for seven months to reach its destination. On February 9, six thrusters fired for 27 minutes, reducing the craft's speed from 121,000 KPH (75,000 MPH) to an orbital velocity of 18,000 KPH (11,000 MPH), consuming nearly half of its fuel reserves—approximately 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of propellant.
Despite Mars being our closest planetary neighbor, it still takes about 11 minutes for radio signals to traverse the distance between Earth and Mars. Consequently, Hope received pre-programmed instructions four days prior to its orbital insertion.
With its successful arrival, Hope is now in an elliptical orbit, preparing for instrument deployment and testing, after which it will transition into its designated science orbit. This broad elliptical path will enable the probe to map Mars every nine days, offering an unprecedented view of Martian weather and climate. Focusing on the lower and middle layers of Mars's atmosphere, the Hope Probe will significantly enhance our understanding of Martian atmospheric dynamics.
“There are numerous reasons that Mars was chosen as the ideal destination for this mission. Personally, I am eager to embark on the scientific phase, which is the primary goal,” expressed Sarah al Amiri, UAE’s Minister of Advanced Sciences.
Mars: The Hot Spot for Exploration
With this achievement, the UAE joins the ranks of the fifth nation to reach Mars, following the United States, Russia, Europe, and India. On February 10, China's Tianwen-1 also entered Martian orbit, and just eight days later, NASA's Perseverance rover is set to touch down on the planet's surface. This rover will carry a helicopter, marking a historic first for Mars exploration.
Data collected from the Hope Probe will be promptly shared with scientific communities worldwide, with initial results expected by September.
During its journey, Hope crossed paths with the European Space Agency's BepiColombo spacecraft, en route to Mercury. The two robotic explorers collaborated in confirming that their hydrogen detectors were functioning correctly by measuring the same levels of the gas.
In a brief span of 15 years, the UAE Space Agency has significantly advanced its capabilities. Following its first satellite launch into Earth orbit, the agency is now preparing to land a rover on the Moon by 2024. Unlike the Hope Probe, largely constructed in the U.S., the Rashid rover will be developed primarily in the UAE.
The UAE, along with nations like India and China, is heavily investing in its space program. UAE leaders hope that the benefits of space exploration will extend beyond mere data collection. “It’s about the future of our economy, aiming for a post-oil era. The leadership wanted to inspire the youth to pursue STEM careers and use this mission as a catalyst for transformative change across sectors,” explained Hope project manager Omran Sharaf.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the UAE's founding, and achieving a milestone in space exploration seems a fitting tribute to this golden anniversary.
James Maynard is the founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion. He is a New England native turned desert dweller in Tucson, where he resides with his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.
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