President Sheikh Khalifa led the tributes as the nation rejoiced over the success of the Hope probe's historic journey to Mars.
The UAE on Tuesday evening became only the fifth nation in the world to successfully send a spacecraft to the Red Planet.
Frayed nerves gave way to jubilation when the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre received the message that a remarkable mission had been accomplished.
Sheikh Khalifa congratulated the country's citizens and residents on a brilliant new chapter in the UAE's history,
He praised Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for their roles in the success.
"This historic achievement would not have been possible without the persistence and determination to implement the idea that emerged at the end of 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who followed it up closely until its success," Sheikh Khalifa said.
He said the support of Sheikh Mohamed had proved pivotal.
"Thanks to both leaders and the team of scientists and engineers behind the project for proving to the world that the UAE is capable of achieving the impossible," Sheikh Khalifa said.
Senior figures in the UAE joined the chorus of praise as the UAE's space sector took a huge leap forward.
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Hope probe captures an image of Mars after clocking one million kilometres since its launch into space on July 20, 2020. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed Twitter -
An image beamed back from the UAE's Hope probe on December 7 showing Saturn and Jupiter in close proximity to each other. Courtesy: Hope probe / MBR Space Centre -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid shares an image of Mars taken by the Hope Probe on December 3, 2020. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid / Twitter -
Media and officials at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai cheer as the Hope probe is blasted into space from Japan on July 20, 2020. Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters -
At the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters in Al Khawaneej, where Emirati engineers monitor Hope's journey to Mars, on July 27, 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, stand for a photograph with the Hope Probe team, during an honouring ceremony at Qasr Al Watan on July 31, 2020. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Fatima Al Bannai (on stage - centre right) and Saeed Al Gergawi (on stage - centre left) present during a ceremony to honour the Hope probe team, at Qasr Al Watan, on July 31, 2020. Courtesy: Hamad Al Mansoori for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The Red Planet, where the Hope probe arrives on February 9 for an orbit insertion attempt. Getty -
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, briefs Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on the Hope probe mission on February 1. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid / Twitter -
A billboard on Al Khail Road advertises the UAE Mars Mission. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Burj Khalifa lights up for the Hope probe on February 6, 2021. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
Zakareyya Al Shamsi, deputy manager of mission operation, at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Al Khawaneej, Dubai, on February 2, 2021. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Hope Probe will attempt a Mars orbit insertion on Tuesday, February 9. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid / Twitter -
Sheikh Mohammed is briefed by the Hope probe team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters on February 18, 2020, ahead of the launch of the spacecraft in July. Wam -
Engineers are pictured as the Hope probe is transferred from Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to its launch site at the station on Tanegashima Island in Japan. The crew faced travel challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Courtesy: UAE Space Agency and MBRSC -
The Hope probe is transferred to the launch site at the space station on Tanegashima Island in Japan. Courtesy: UAE Space Agency and MBRSC -
Engineers work on the hope probe ahead of its launch in July 2020. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission -
Hope is launched into space on board an H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Centre in southwestern Japan. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
People wait for the launch of the Hope probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai on July 19, 2020. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
People wait for the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai on July 19, 2020. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
The Hope probe is launched into space on July 20, 2020. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
The Museum of the Future is lit up in red to celebrate the Hope probe's mission to Mars. Antonie Robertson / The National -
All eyes are on today's countdown before the UAE's Hope probe reaches Mars' orbit. AP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visit the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in February 2020. Wam -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visits Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on February 8, 2021 ahead of the Hope probe reaching Mars. Courtesy: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Twitter
Huge outpouring of support as UAE makes it mark in history
"The Hope probe’s historic arrival to Mars is the greatest celebration of the 50th anniversary of our country." - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
"The entry of the Hope Probe into the orbit of Mars is a significant accomplishment in our nation’s history." - Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
"The Hope probe’s historic space journey to Mars is a significant Arab and Emirati achievement." - Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai
"What has made this mission remarkable is not only the 200 Emiratis that were working on this, it's the 450 people from different continents, backgrounds and beliefs." - Sarah Al Amiri, chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency
"February 9, 2021 marks a new dawn in the Emirati and Arab space exploration journey. Congratulations to our leadership, Emiratis and Arabs on the successful Mars orbit insertion of the Hope probe." - Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE astronaut
"Dear Hope Mars Mission, congratulations on arriving at Mars! In the words of the poet Al Mutanabbi: 'If you ventured in pursuit of glory, don’t be satisfied with less than the stars.' - Nasa Perseverance Rover
"We congratulate Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for this incredible accomplishment, guided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's inspiring vision to set up the first Arab interplanetary mission." - Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chief executive of Emirates airline
"Congratulations to the UAE on their arrival at Mars today. Their Hope orbiter will perform a detailed study of the atmosphere, which long ago sustained running water on the Martian surface. Now it doesn’t. Lessons for us back on Earth, waiting to be learned." - Neil De Grasse Tyson, astrophysicist
"The probe’s success in entering the Martian orbit and commencing its scientific mission is a momentous milestone in the UAE’s journey. It leaves an imprint in history that reflects the hard work of a nation that is not yet 50 years old." - Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment
"Reaching Mars is a new opportunity for Arabs and Muslims to elevate their global standing, and an Emirati message of hope for the new generation in our Arab world." - Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
