One year on since the UAE reached Mars and etched its name in the record books as the first Arab country to achieve the daring feat, the mission continues to gather valuable data and share never-before-seen images with the world.
A global audience watched with bated breath on February 9 last year when the Hope spacecraft entered the Red Planet’s orbit.
The UAE’s space agency became only the fifth in the world to accomplish the task.
Omran Sharaf, the mission director, and his team of engineers tracked the spacecraft from ground control at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre as it entered orbit.
“To the people of the UAE, to the Arab and Muslim nations, we announce the successful arrival to Mars orbit. Praise be to God,” Mr Sharaf announced in a live broadcast at the time.
Since then, the probe has been beaming back stunning images of the planet that has revealed its geographical features and atmospheric conditions.
Scientists around the world have been benefiting from the treasure trove of data the mission has released so far, including images of the planet’s mysterious aurora and abundance of oxygen.
Speaking to The National on the special occasion, Mr Sharaf said the mission is only halfway completed and there are still more discoveries to be made.
“There’s definitely a feeling of happiness and positivity around what's going to come in the future,” he said.
“When we were young, we never thought that we were going to work on a mission that will be sent to explore Mars.
“For me, personally, having the opportunity to work on it and to leave a fingerprint on something that put our name on Mars has been a humbling experience.”
More than 200 engineers and scientists contributed to the mission, including three US universities that helped build the spacecraft and science goals.
Mr Sharaf said reaching the Red Planet has helped them “think outside of the box” and aim for even more challenging tasks.
Last year, the UAE Space Agency announced a mission to the main asteroid belt and a Venus fly-by.
The ambitious project involves a spacecraft that would slingshot itself around Venus and then Earth by using their gravity, with a goal to reach the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
It would then fly past seven asteroids and attempt a landing on the last one.
“The asteroid belt and Venus mission is based on the Mars mission experience and platform. It’s a continuation of the initial investment by the government,” Mr Sharaf said.
On the one-year anniversary of the UAE reaching Mars, The National highlights some of the key moments of the mission.
July 16, 2014: UAE announces mission to Mars
It was an announcement no one was expecting, but soon becomes the foundation for the nation’s space programme.
The news comes years before the country even had an astronaut programme, but many young Emirati engineers who dreamt of a career in the space sector welcome the mission.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announces the news on Twitter.
“Today we announce two epic projects in our history: establishing UAE Space Agency and sending the first Arab spaceship to Mars by 2021,” he tweeted.
The goal is to reach the Red Planet in the same year of the Emirates’ Golden Jubilee.
May 8, 2015: details of mission unveiled
During a glittering ceremony held at the Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, the name of the spacecraft and timeline of the mission is unveiled.
A video detailing the science goals was released on Sheikh Mohammed’s Twitter account two days beforehand, and is discussed further during the ceremony.
The Ruler of Dubai said the spacecraft was named Hope because it sent a message of optimism to young Arabs.
November 12, 2017: Prototype of Hope probe unveiled
At the Dubai Airshow, a prototype of the Mars spacecraft goes on display for the first time.
It is an opportunity for the engineers to show the progress of the mission.
January 21, 2019: UAE announces launch date
A launch window between July 14 and August 3, 2020, is announced.
The spacecraft would lift off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre, aboard the HII-A rocket.
On May 19, it is announced that the first launch attempt would be made on July 15, 2020.
April 5, 2020: Covid-19 pandemic causes disruptions
Six years of planning, but no one saw what was coming next.
The pandemic did not cause any launch delays, but it is the reason why some of the engineers leave for Japan early to quarantine.
Some of the team members stay behind because only a limited number of people are allowed on site.
They live in Japan for more than four months to make sure the launch goes ahead on time.
April 25, 2020: Delivering Hope to a faraway Japanese island
It was a journey over land, sea and air that took the UAE’s Mars probe from a Dubai suburb to the far side of the world. But after 83 hours, the space orbiter arrives on Tanegashima Island — 1,000 kilometres south of the capital Tokyo.
The vehicle travelled in a special container to avoid damage and flew on one of the world's largest cargo planes.
July 14, 2020: Turbulent weather causes delays
The mission survives the pandemic, but Mother Nature has its own plans.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds delay the mission twice, including on July 15 and July 17.
July 20, 2020: Hope lifts off
At last, the mission lifts off.
The Hope probe begins its 493 million kilometres-long journey to Mars.
February 9, 2021: Hope enters Mars orbit
About 200 days later, the spacecraft successfully reaches Mars.
Landmarks across the Arab world light up in red to celebrate the historic achievement.
Hours later, China also manages to reach Mars with its Tianwen-1 spacecraft.
February 14, 2021: First image of Mars
Sheikh Mohammed tweets the first image of Mars captured by the Hope probe while in orbit.
Taken 24,700 kilometres above the surface of the Red Planet, the image showed the solar system’s largest volcano, Olympus Mons, at sunrise.
October 1, 2021: First set of data released
A total of 110 gigabytes of data, including images and science readings of the atmosphere and weather, is released for free to the public.
The UAE promises to release a new set every three months.
January 1, 2022: Second set of data released
The latest release of data sheds new light on some of the planet's key geographical features, such as Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system, and Valles Marineris, a canyon network that is 4,000km long and reaches depths of up to 7km.
So far, 312gb of data has been released.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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match info
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 37')
Atletico Madrid 1 (Costa 39')
Man of the match Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
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Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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