In the context of attempts to enhance its scientific and technological capabilities and decrease the oil dependency of the country, the UAE has developed this Mars mission. The Hope Probe was launched from a Japanese space center. With this development, the UAE Space Agency became the fifth country in the world to achieve reaching the red planet. The country has also the intention to settle on the planet by 2117.
The ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan were present at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to follow the entering of the Hope Probe into orbit. After the mission was completed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated that the aim of this mission is to give hope to all Arabs. This will be not the last, he added. The Hope probe will provide data about the Martian atmosphere and climate.
It is stated that the UAE’s Mars mission cost approximately $200 million. The mission had been first announced in 2014, and National Space Program was launched in 2017 under this aim. In 2019, the UAE also managed to send its first Emirati astronaut, Hazza al-Mansouri, who went to the International Space Station.
