The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently made headlines for its first-ever interplanetary mission – the Hope Probe, which has successfully entered into Mars’ orbit. This marks a significant milestone not only for the UAE, but for the entire Arab world, as this is their first mission of this kind.
About the Hope Probe Mission
Announced in 2015, the Mars Mission ‘Hope’ was developed with the objective of creating mankind’s first comprehensive model of Mars’ atmosphere. This massive feat of science and engineering was achieved by UAE scientists in collaboration with their counterparts in the USA. The probe was launched in July 2020 from Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
The Hope Probe weighs around 1.5 tonnes, similar in size to a standard SUV. It is projected to complete an orbit around Mars every 55 hours, and its mission life is estimated to be approximately one Martian year, equivalent to 687 Earth days.
Tools and Instruments on the Hope Probe
The Hope Probe carries three scientific instruments. The Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI) is a high-resolution camera, while the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS) is a far-UV imaging spectrograph. The third instrument, the Emirates Mars InfraRed Spectrometer (EMIRS), will examine temperature profiles, ice, water vapor, and dust in the Martian atmosphere.
Expected Benefits of the Mission
Through these instruments, the Hope Probe will collect extensive data on Martian climate dynamics. Scientists hope to understand why Mars’ atmosphere is slowly dissipating into space. This wealth of data will also assess seasonal and daily changes on the planet, shedding light on how particles like oxygen and hydrogen move through the Martian atmosphere.
The Significance of the Mission
This accomplishment propels UAE into the fifth position to reach Mars, following NASA, the Soviet Union, the European Space Agency, and India. The success of this mission is expected to boost investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and transform UAE into a knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, this achievement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the UAE, creating a double cause for celebration.
Other Mars Missions
In addition to the UAE’s Hope Probe, two other unmanned missions from the USA and China are scheduled to reach Mars soon. These three missions took advantage of the close alignment of Earth and Mars, launching their respective probes in July. One of these missions includes a combination orbiter and lander from China set to circle Mars and eventually attempt a landing to search for signs of ancient life. The U.S mission includes a rover named ‘Perseverance’, which aims to bring back Mars rocks to Earth for further examination.
The Objectives Behind Mars Exploration
There is a growing interest in Mars exploration due to its Earth-like features, such as clouds, polar ice caps, volcanoes, and seasonal weather patterns. Scientists believe that Mars was once warm enough to sustain flowing water, implying that it may have harbored life.
India’s Own Mars Mission: Mangalyaan
Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in November 2013, the Mars Orbiter Mission, also known as Mangalyaan, was sent with the goal of studying the Martian surface and mineral composition. It aimed to scan the Martian atmosphere for methane, an indicator of possible life on Mars. This mission was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh.