space agency of the United Arab Emirates has launched its historic first mission to Mars. UAE launched its Hope probe on H2-A rocket from spaceport in Japan on Monday. The probe is on incredible 500-million-km journey to study the weather and climate on Red Planet. Hope is scheduled to arrive in Mars' orbit in February 2021, to coincide with 50th anniversary of the formation of the UAE. The Emirates Mars Mission will stay in Martian orbit for 687 days. It will collect data samples of Martian atmosphere to analyse. Scientists in Dubai hope their findings will add to our understanding of how Mars lost a lot of its air and water, as well as springing up few surprises.
The UAE has joined ranks of long-established pioneering space giants such as the USA, Russia, China, India and Japan. Entering field of space exploration is testament to ambitions of this young country. The Khaleej Times newspaper explained how momentous Hope probe is for the UAE. It wrote: "It's understatement to say that the UAE made history last night. By using history as springboard, the UAE has catapulted itself and along with it world into the future - a future of insight and intelligence, beyond mere imagination. For more than 400 million Arabs in world, one hour, 58 minutes and 14 seconds past midnight last night was moment that epitomised eternity."
