Martian red became the colour of the UAE as the country’s popular Hope Probe to Mars reached its zenith on Tuesday evening. The UAE’s Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the very first interplanetary mission undertaken by an Arab nation, created a important milestone for the mission as it reached its Mars Orbit Insertion, MOI, at 7:42 pm UAE regional time, finishing its 7-month journey to the red planet.
Incidentally, the substantially-publicized occasion also marked the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s Union formation. In performing so, the UAE became the very first Arab nation and fifth globally to attain the red planet.
The occasion was marked across the nation with massive celebrations with congratulatory messages exchanged and greetings extended. Even guests arriving at the UAE airports received a “Martian Ink” passport stamp in honor of the Hope Probe.
Martian atmosphere
Reports stated the country’s very first such mission is made to orbit Mars and study the dynamics in the Martian atmosphere on a international scale, and on each diurnal and seasonal timescales.
“Using three scientific instruments on board of the spacecraft, EMM will provide a set of measurements fundamental to an improved understanding of circulation and weather in the Martian lower and middle atmosphere,” a statement released by the UAE’s official news agency Wam stated.
The Hope probe was launched on July 20 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Station.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, and stated Hope Probe into the orbit of Mars is a substantial accomplishment in the nation’s history.
“This achievement was made possible by Emirati pioneers whose work will inspire future scientists & engineers for generations. We are immensely proud of them,” he tweeted.
India connection
In an interview with Wam, an ISRO official stated they have “a positive outlook” on the Hope Probe’s good results, which “will expand the global team that can coordinate and jointly plan future missions to Mars.”
“It is an exciting opportunity as the UAE’s Hope mission approaches Mars for an orbit injection. The successful approach to Mars provides renewed confidence in the upcoming phases of the mission,” R Umamaheswaran, Distinguished Scientist and Scientific Secretary at ISRO, stated.
India was the very first Asian nation and the fourth globally to join the exclusive club that has reached Mars alongside the US, Russia and the European Space Agency.