FILE - This June 1, 2020 illustration provided by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre depicts the United Arab Emirates' Hope Mars probe. (Alexander McNabb/MBRSC via AP)
FILE - This June 1, 2020 illustration provided by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre depicts the United Arab Emirates' Hope Mars probe. (Alexander McNabb/MBRSC via AP)
FILE - This June 1, 2020 illustration provided by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre depicts the United Arab Emirates' Hope Mars probe. (Alexander McNabb/MBRSC via AP)
"We are not done yet, and we will never be." This was UAE astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri's promise to the world when he touched down from his mission in 2019, having become the first Emirati in space. Maintaining this pledge, at about 7.30pm today, the country's Hope probe will enter Mars's atmosphere, the latest milestone in its exploration of space.
The story of the Arab world’s journey beyond earth's atmosphere began in 1985, when Sultan bin Salman Al Saud became the first from the region to leave our planet’s atmosphere. Two years later, Syrian astronaut Muhammed Faris reached the USSR's Mir station. The Hope probe mission’s tagline, “Arabs to Mars”, affirms that their journey continues farther than even they may have imagined.
Astronomy has been dear to the culture of the Arab world since ancient times, when the planets and stars were waypoints for navigating the deserts and the seas. Five years after the unification of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father , met three American astronauts. In 2014, the UAE Space Agency was created, with the aim of developing a national space sector.
As the Hope probe hurtles towards the Martian atmosphere, so does the UAE towards the realisation of Vision 2021 – its plan to put the country at the forefront of human achievement in economic development, social wellbeing and science, among other areas. The country's monuments are lit up in red in anticipation of what Hope will bring back to Earth.
The UAE's space programme will include people from all over the region. AFP
The Mars mission also teaches us about the nature of success, which is never linear
As it sails through the vacuum and manoeuvres through the harsh environment of the cosmos, Hope reminds us that venture, progress and achievement take preparedness, innovation and resolve. It has been a trying period for us all on this planet. Covid-19 has plunged us into the unknown, with the virus still limiting our lives. As with an extra-terrestrial voyage, the solution to Covid-19 comprises science, collaboration, ambition and commitment.
The Mars mission also teaches us about the nature of success, which is never linear. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, is famously said to have failed thousands of times before he secured his historic invention. Each attempt was an opportunity from which to learn, not a reason to give up. Likewise, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reminded us of the difficulty of the mission's next phase, tweeting that the probe has a "50 per cent success rate in entering Mars' orbit".
Even if the full scope of the mission is not realised, the attempt will have advanced science, and it will have done so from the heart of the Arab world. A new generation of space scientists now see that they can pursue their ambitions from the region. On Sunday, it was announced that 10 young Arabs have been selected for the UAE's Space Pioneers Programme, which offers them scholarships and training in fields related to space.
Exploring beyond the boundaries of our planet has always been about more than just mission specifics. It is about humanity's pride and wonder as it bears witness to its own ambition.
As Sheikh Mohammed puts it, even before the Hope probe reaches its destination, the UAE has achieved "90 per cent of its goals in building new knowledge".
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
