Video: UAE leaders at ground control centre as Hope Probe reaches Mars

At exactly 7.42pm on Tuesday, February 9, Mars got a very special guest: A spacecraft from the UAE.

The Hope Probe got into its orbit after a nail-biting 27-minute manoeuvre that involved reversing and firing its six Delta V thrusters.

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And in the thick of the nervous action were none other than the UAE leaders His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

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Also present was Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.

They went down to the Hope mission ground control station in Dubai.

>> Our next accomplishments will be even bigger: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Sheikh Mohammed said: “The Hope Probe’s historic arrival to Mars is the greatest celebration of the 50th anniversary of our country. It sets the beginning of the next 50 years with boundless ambitions and dreams.

“Our next accomplishments will be even bigger and greater.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted that the UAE’s biggest success is building national scientific expertise who will contribute to the international science community.

“We dedicate our Mars achievement to the people of the UAE and the rest of the Arab world. Our success proves that Arabs are capable of reviving the region’s legacy and status in the scientific sphere.”

Arab, Islamic achievement: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the probe’s successful arrival to Mars is an “Arab and Islamic achievement that was made possible by the relentless efforts of our youth”.

“The mission marks our entry in the global race to space. The probe’s arrival to the Red Planet celebrates our journey of 50 years in the best image that fits the UAE and captures its true story to the world.

“The Emirates Mars Mission paves the way for the next 50 years of sustainable scientific development in the UAE.

“The human capital is the true wealth of our nation. Investing in our people forms the main pillar of all our development strategies and policies.”

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that the Emirati youth will be the ones leading “our development for the next 50 years” with their acquired knowledge and skills.

“The Emirates Mars Mission contributed to building highly-qualified Emirati capabilities equipped to make more accomplishments in the space sector.”

Mission success heralds new chapter: Sheikh Hamdan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said the mission drafts a new chapter in the UAE’s record of achievements in the space science sector.

He said: “The UAE’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary has become associated with the arrival to Mars, which places a big responsibility on the next generation to make greater achievements in the next 50 years.”

sahim@khaleejtimes.com

• Hope Mission To Mars
• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi