Feb 9, 2021 - Science

The UAE's Hope probe makes it to Mars

Mars in full view with its polar ice caps in white

Mars as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo: NASA/ESA/STScI

The United Arab Emirates' Hope probe successfully made it into orbit around Mars Tuesday, vaulting the Arab nation into an elite class of space-faring nations.

Why it matters: With Hope's success, the UAE is now the fifth nation or space agency to operate an orbiter around Mars.

Details: Hope made it into orbit after a long burn that slowed the spacecraft down enough to be captured into orbit by Mars.

  • The spacecraft is now expected to study the planet's weather conditions and thin atmosphere for about two years.

What's next: It's a busy time at Mars. China's Tianwen-1 mission is expected to make its attempt to orbit Mars tomorrow, and NASA's Perseverance rover is scheduled to land on the Red Planet next week.

Go deeper: The new Mars club

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