Feb 9, 2021 - Science

The UAE's Hope probe makes it to Mars

Miriam Kramer

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

Add Axios on Google

The UAE's Hope probe makes it to Mars

What to read next