The United Arab Emirates' historic mission to Mars has reached the halfway point of its journey and has entered a crucial stage. The Emirates Mars Mission called "Hope Probe" was launched on July 20 2020 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre. Its objective is to study the atmosphere of Mars and gain a better understanding of its weather dynamics.
As the spacecraft reaches the critical point of its mission it will begin to decelerate gradually getting captured by the gravity of the red planet. If successful the probe will enter an orbit around Mars and start collecting valuable data about its climate. This critical maneuver is the most challenging part of the mission as any miscalculation could result in the probe being lost in space or crashing onto Mars' surface.
The Emirates Mars Mission is a significant milestone for the UAE marking its first interplanetary mission and demonstrating its commitment to space exploration. The mission aims to create a comprehensive scientific database of Mars' atmosphere and contribute to global space research efforts. The collected data will provide insights into the planet's weather patterns dust storms and the relationship between the upper and lower layers of its atmosphere.
The Hope Probe is equipped with three scientific instruments to carry out its research. The Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI) will capture high-resolution images of Mars' atmosphere providing detailed insights into its weather dynamics. The Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS) will study the planet's upper atmosphere and the escape of hydrogen and oxygen. The Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) will measure the temperature structure of the lower atmosphere and examine the dust and ice particles' distribution.
The UAE's mission to Mars has not only scientific objectives but also significant economic and technological implications. The country aims to develop its capabilities in space science and technology fostering a knowledge-based economy and nurturing young Emirati talent in STEM fields. The mission has already inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers in the UAE and the wider Arab world fueling curiosity and encouraging innovation.
The successful halfway point of the mission is a testament to the UAE's ambition and dedication to space exploration. The Hope Probe is expected to reach the orbit of Mars in February 2021 coinciding with the UAE's 50th anniversary as a nation. This timing carries symbolic meaning emphasizing the UAE's progress and achievements in various domains including space research. The successful entry into Mars' orbit will be a milestone not only for the UAE but also for the broader Arab region and the international space community.
The UAE's mission to Mars has captured global attention and highlighted the growing interest of nations in space exploration. It serves as a testament to human ambition curiosity and our innate desire to explore the unknown. The comprehensive data collected by the Hope Probe will contribute to international scientific endeavors and deepen our understanding of Mars and its potential for sustaining life.
