The satellite Al Amal (Arabic for ‘hope’) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was successfully put into orbit around Mars on Tuesday afternoon. This makes the UAE the first Arab country to conduct an interplanetary mission. Over the next two years, the mission will collect data on, among other things, the atmosphere of Mars.
At around 4.40 pm (Dutch time) the satellite ignited the engines to reduce speed. This reduced the speed of the device from 121,000 kilometers per hour to approximately 18,000 kilometers per hour. However, the satellite immediately disappeared ‘behind’ Mars around 4.45 pm. It was not until around 5.15 pm that mission control received a signal from the satellite confirming the successful arrival.
If the braking had not been successful, the device would have shot past Mars. If the satellite had slowed down too much, it would likely have entered orbit and then crashed on the surface of the planet.
With the satellite, the UAE wants to investigate the atmosphere of Mars, as well as the weather and climate on the celestial body. With this, scientists hope to learn more about how Mars turned into the cold desert that the planet is today. The United Arab Emirates also hope to inspire a new generation of engineers with the journey to Mars.
The government organization Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center has collaborated with two American universities to develop the satellite. Since the UAE itself does not yet have a launch option, Al Amal was launched with a Japanese missile.
UAE recently sent its first own astronaut to ISS
The Mars mission Al Amal is not the only space mission that the Emirates are engaged in. For example, in September 2019, Hazza Al Mansouri became the first UAE resident to travel to the space station ISS. The second astronaut from the UAE is Sultan Al Neyadi. He came in for Al Mansouri and has no mission of his own yet.
The UAE hopes to land the Rashid rover on the moon in 2024, the first lunar mission from an Arab country.
The Burj Khalifa, as well as other buildings in the city of Dubai, will turn red on Tuesday in honor of the mission.
The Burj Khalifa, as well as other buildings in the city of Dubai, will turn red on Tuesday in honor of the mission. Photo: ANP
–
–
–
Al Amal is the first of three missions to reach Mars in February
Al Amal is the first of three missions launched in July 2020 to reach Mars. In the same month, the United States and China also sent missions to the planet. Europe also wanted to leave for Mars, but partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible to finish the Mars rover on time.
China launched China’s Tianwen-1 mission consisting of a satellite, lander and rover. It must arrive at Mars on Wednesday to attempt a landing in May.
The US sent the Perseverance car, which should land on the surface of Mars on February 18. This car will search for traces of life and has transported a special small helicopter. This should be used to find out whether this vehicle can be used for Mars reconnaissance.
– .
