As space races go, the UAE's Mars mission has been out of this world.
It's been eight years since the UAE announced the creation of the UAE Space Agency, on July 16, 2014. The agency was established with one goal: to reach the Red Planet by 2021.
This ambition became a reality on February 9, 2021, when the UAE became the first Arab country to arrive at the Red Planet. The Hope probe travelled more than 340 million kilometres to reach the planet.
The late President Sheikh Khalifa led the tributes as the nation rejoiced at the success of the Hope probe's historic journey to Mars in February last year.
He congratulated the country's citizens and residents on a brilliant new chapter in the UAE's history and praised UAE leaders' 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.
"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."
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National -
A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter -
UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National -
The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The successful mission was instantly lauded as one that would inspire the young people of the UAE to explore space.
Rohan Roberts, who leads an astronomy programme at Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail, told The National: "The youth are so inspired by the Hope probe. It creates a sense of awe and wonder about the universe we live in and fills their minds with optimism
"It's a nice counterbalance to the doom and gloom narrative of traditional media, where we emphasise the negative, and students are always thinking that the future is dystopian. It gives students excitement and hope for the future."
More than 200 engineers and scientists contributed to the mission, including three US universities that helped build the spacecraft and science goals.
In the 17 months since the Hope probe successfully reached Mars, it has sent reams of data containing thousands of images of the planet, helping give the world a greater understanding of its solar system neighbour.
In March 2020, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared images showing the solar system’s largest known volcano, Olympus Mons.
“Olympus Mons … highest peak in our solar system. Almost three times the height of Mount Everest. Taken by Hope Probe at 13,000km above Mars surface,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote.
Olympus Mons is in the Tharsis region of Mars and measures 642 kilometres in diameter, according to US space agency Nasa.
UAE Hope probe - in pictures
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Engineers assemble the Hope Probe. Courtesy MBR Space Centre / Dubai Media Office -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Crown Prince, visit the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Space Centre. Wam -
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 UAE Armed Forces, sign a piece of the Hope Probe, which will be launched to Mars in July, at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - January 05, 2020: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (front row 3rd R) and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence (front row 4th R), stand for a photograph after signing a piece of the Hope Probe, which will be launched to Mars in July, at Qasr Al Watan. Seen with HH Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior (front row 2nd R), HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs (front row 5th R), HE Sarah Yousif Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Sciences (front row 6th R) and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (front row 7th R). ( Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs ) --- -
The UAE's mission to Mars, the Hope Probe. -
A plaque featuring the UAE's new Nation Brand, a logo featuring seven lines representing the leaders of the seven Emirates who agreed to unite the country under one flag, has been attached to the Hope Probe, due to blast off for Mars in the summer. Wam -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, witness the installation of the final piece of the Hope Probe. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office Twitter -
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the Hope Probe is a testament to the capabilities of the youth of the UAE. The project, which represents a historic achievement for the nation, also sends a message of hope to youth in the Arab world. Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as he was ceremonially handed the last component of the Hope Probe during an event held to mark its installation. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre also attended the event. Wam -
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the Hope Probe is a testament to the capabilities of the youth of the UAE. The project, which represents a historic achievement for the nation, also sends a message of hope to youth in the Arab world. Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as he was ceremonially handed the last component of the Hope Probe during an event held to mark its installation. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre also attended the event. Wam -
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the Hope Probe is a testament to the capabilities of the youth of the UAE. The project, which represents a historic achievement for the nation, also sends a message of hope to youth in the Arab world. Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as he was ceremonially handed the last component of the Hope Probe during an event held to mark its installation. In photo is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre also attended the event. Wam -
Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by the Hope Probe team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters about the final technical and logistical preparations and testing procedures ahead of the Hope Probe’s launch in July. Wam -
The H-IIA (F42) launch vehicle at the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan is being prepared for the launch. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office -
The Hope probe will launch on July 15 at 12.51am. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission -
Final preparations are under way at the launch site for the UAE Mars Mission in Japan's Tanegashima Island. The Hope probe was placed inside this payload fairing last week and was transferred to building where the rocket is kept. Courtesy: Shoma Watanbe -
Rocket carrying Hope probe to space has arrived at launch pad in Tanegashima island, Japan. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita -
People watch a big screen displaying the launch of the Hope Probe from Tanegashima Island in Japan, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates July 20, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah -
In this handout photograph taken and released on July 20, 2020 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries an H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe known as "Al-Amal" in Arabic, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore Mars, blasts off from Tanegashima Space Centre in southwestern Japan. The first Arab space mission to Mars blasted off on July 20 aboard a rocket from Japan, with the probe dubbed "Hope" successfully separating about an hour after liftoff. - --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / (MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES)" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS --- / AFP / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries / Handout / --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / (MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES)" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS --- -
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 20 JULY 2020. Post launch briefing of the Hope Probe to Mars at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center. LtoR: Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, the Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Omran Sharaf, Project Manager of Emirates Mars Mission, Hope Probe (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: Sarwat. Section: National. -
Zakareyya Al Shamshi, deputy manager of Mission Operation, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters in Al Khawaneej. Antonie Robertson / The National -
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 27 JULY 2020. MBRSC headquarters in Al Khawaneej. One week today since the Hope probe launched to Mars. LtoR: Mohammed Alblooshi, Flight Controller and Hamad Alhazami, Command and Control operator. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: Sarwat Nasir. Section: National. -
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 27 JULY 2020. MBRSC headquarters in Al Khawaneej. One week today since the Hope probe launched to Mars. LtoR: Mohammed Alblooshi, Flight Controller and Hamad Alhazami, Command and Control operator. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: Sarwat Nasir. Section: National. -
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - July 31, 2020: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces front (front row 5th L), HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence (front row 4th L) and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai (front row 3rd L), stand for a photograph with the Hope Probe team, during an honoring ceremony, at Qasr Al Watan. ( Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs ) --- -
An image beamed back from the UAE's Hope Probe showing Saturn and Jupiter growing ever closer last month. Courtesy: Hope Probe / MBR Space Centre -
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. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Twitter -
epa08989888 The under-construction Museum of The Future is illuminated in red as the color of Mars in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 05 February 2021. Landmarks in the UAE are lit up in red in support to the Hope Probe reaching to Mars orbit on 09 February 2021. The Emirates Mars Mission Hope Probe is the first planetary mission led by an Arab-Islamic country and the space probe is to study the Martian atmosphere. EPA/ALI HAIDER -
Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, at an event to mark Hope Probe's entering the orbit of Mars, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 9. Reuters
