The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mars mission, also known as ‘Hope’, is ready to make headlines. Scheduled for launch on 16th July 2020, this ambitious venture is among the three significant missions targeting Mars this month. The other two missions are spearheaded by the USA and China, both of which are at the final stages of launching their surface rovers.
Making strides in space exploration, the UAE is about to create history with its first interplanetary mission. The ‘Hope Orbiter’, the central component of the mission, will be launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Island utilizing the H-IIA rocket from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, owing to the absence of a rocket industry in the UAE itself. The orbiter is anticipated to reach Mars’ orbit by February 2021, right in time for the UAE’s 50th founding anniversary. The cost of this venture is approximately USD 200 million.
The Hope Orbiter
The Hope Obiter is equipped with three key instruments: an infrared spectrometer, an ultraviolet spectrometer, and a camera. These tools will enable the spacecraft to provide planetary scientists with a comprehensive view of the Martian weather at different times of the day. Over its two-year mission duration, the Orbiter will primarily investigate how dust storms and other weather phenomena near the Martian surface escalate or retard the loss of the planet’s atmosphere into space.
Significance of the Mission
For the UAE, the mission amounts to more than just an expedition. It aims to inspire young minds towards scientific pursuits and stimulate growth in the country’s science and technology sectors. These advancements would lay a stronger foundation for addressing critical concerns like food, water, energy, and transitioning to a post-petroleum economy.
The UAE’s Previous Space Endeavours
The UAE has already marked its presence in space by constructing and launching three Earth-observing satellites, achieved with a collaboration with a South Korean manufacturer. The UAE reached another milestone in 2019 when it sent its first astronaut for an eight-day stint at the International Space Station, securing a place on a Russian Soyuz rocket.
Mars Missions: An Overview
Two other significant missions aiming to explore Mars are NASA’s Mars rover, Perseverance, and China’s ambitious mission, Tianwen-1. The timing of these missions is calculated carefully to coincide with the one-month window when Mars and Earth are on the same side of the sun. This alignment, which occurs only once every 26 months, minimizes travel time and fuel use.
Current Missions on Mars
So far, only the USA has successfully landed a spacecraft on Mars. Two NASA landers, InSight and Curiosity, are currently operational on the planet. Six orbiting spacecraft from the USA, Europe, and India are also contributing to our understanding of Mars.
Objective of Mars Exploration
Despite stark differences from Earth, Mars shares certain features like clouds, polar ice caps, volcanoes, and seasonal weather patterns. For years, scientists have speculated about the possibility of life on Mars. Recent missions have enhanced this curiosity by uncovering the potential presence of liquid water on the planet, either beneath the surface today or at some point in the past
