Hope Probe successfully enters orbit around Mars

Hope Probe successfully enters orbit around Mars

The United Arab Emirates' first mission to Mars known as Hope Probe reached Mars, the red planet and entered orbit on Tuesday after a 7 month, 494 million km journey on its frist attempt.



The Emirates Mars Mission aims to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere for the first time, studying daily and seasonal climate changes.



This makes the UAE the fifth in the world and first in Arab world, space agency to reach the planet. The Mars programme is part of the UAE's efforts to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil. The UAE Space Agency even has a plan for a Mars settlement by 2117.



To enter Mars' orbit, the probe needed to burn around half its 800 kg of onboard fuel to slow down enough not to overshoot. The Emirates Mars Mission, which has cost around $200 million, launched the Hope Probe from a Japanese space centre.



This year marks 50 years since independence from Britain and the founding of the UAE. Mars probes launched by China and NASA just after the UAE's lift-off in July are also set to reach the planet this month.



The UAE first announced plans