Hope probe: UAE marks one year since it reached Mars – in pictures
-
HOPE MISSION MILESTONES - IN PICTURES: On July 16, 2014, the UAE announced its Mars mission would reach the planet in 2021, in time for the country's Golden Jubilee. Photo: Nasa -
On May 8, 2015, during a glittering ceremony at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, the name of the spacecraft and timeline of the mission is unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On November 12, 2017, at the Dubai Airshow, a prototype of the Mars spacecraft goes on display. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre -
On January 5, 2020, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, right, and Sheikh Mohamed sign the final piece of the Hope Probe before it is shipped to Japan for the launch. Photo: Wam -
On January 21, 2020, 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 the first launch attempt would be made on July 15, 2020. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
On April 5, 2020, Emirati engineers are sent, months in advance, to the launch site due to Covid-19. Some team members stay behind because only a limited number of people are allowed on site. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On April 25, 2020, the space orbiter arrives on Tanegashima island, 1,000 kilometres south of Tokyo. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
The vehicle travelled in a special container to avoid damage and flew on one of the world's largest cargo planes. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, and mission director Omran Sharaf, third left, discuss with engineers shipping the Hope probe to Japan. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre -
The Hope probe arrives in Tanegashima island for a launch attempt on July 15, 2020. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita -
Heavy rainfall and strong winds delay the mission twice, on July 15 and July 17. Courtesy: Shoma Watanbe -
On July 20, 2020, the Hope probe lifts off and begins its 493-million-kilometre journey to Mars. AFP -
Sarah Al Amiri celebrates a successful take-off with launch provider Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. AFP -
On July 22, 2020, the probe captures an image of Mars two days after it began its journey to the Red Planet. Sheikh Mohammed shared this image on Twitter. Photo: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter -
On February 9, 2021, Sarah Al Amiri hosted an event at Dubai's Burj Park and gave live updates on the mission. Reuters -
On February 9, 2021, mission director Omran Sharaf announces the Hope probe has successfully entered Mars orbit. Photo: Wam -
Joyous scenes at the event in Burj Park. Christopher Pike / Reuters -
Moments after the announcement, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid thank staff at mission control in Dubai. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
On February 14, 2021, the spacecraft sends its first global image of the Red Planet. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
On October 1, 2021, the UAE releases the first set of data collected by the mission, including images and science readings of the atmosphere and weather. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission -
This image taken by the Hope probe’s ultraviolet spectrometer shows sunlight reflected from the extended cloud of atomic hydrogen gas that surrounds Mars. The sunlight is visible only as a dark disk hidden within the gas. Emirates Mars Mission -
On January 1, a second set of data is released for free to the public. This image was enhanced by Andrea Luck and shows another cloudy day on the planet. The North Pole, Olympus Mons and Tharsis Montes are also visible. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrew Luck
Most popular today
