More than half of previous missions to Mars have not succeeded due to reasons ranging from rocket failures after lift-off and failed landing attempts, to unsuccessful orbit entries.
At 7.30pm on Tuesday, the UAE’s Hope spacecraft will attempt to enter Mars' orbit, where it will remain for the duration of its mission to collect data.
It has already completed several key stages, including launch into space and vital course correction manoeuvres, in which the thrusters it will use to enter orbit were tested.
As the probe prepares to reach Mars, The National explores some of the potential risks associated with the orbit insertion attempt.
History of failures
There have been so many failed Mars missions that the planet was often called the "spacecraft graveyard" or "where spacecrafts go to die".
However, a lot of these unsuccessful attempts took place between the 1960s and 1990s.
The former Soviet Union – which encompassed what is today Russia, Ukraine and other countries – had the worst luck.
It launched several unsuccessful Mars missions in the 1960s.
They began with the Marsnik-1 spacecraft, which was meant to do a fly-by of the planet. It failed to reach Earth’s orbit and was destroyed.
Another seven attempts in the same decade and early 1970s all failed.
Reasons varied, from the spacecraft exploding after reaching Earth’s orbit, failed radio communication, going off course, to batteries dying or solar panels being lost.
In 1971, a Soviet Union spacecraft was finally placed into orbit. The lander that flew with the same mission, however, crashed.
US space agency Nasa managed to send two spacecrafts to Mars in 1969.
Between the 1970s to 1980s, the former Soviet Union attempted more Mars missions with no notable ones giving desired results. Most of their landing attempts failed.
In 1976, Nasa managed to send its Viking 1 and Viking 2 orbiters and landers to the Red Planet, both ending in success.
However, Nasa has also experienced failures. In the 1990s, mission control lost communication with the Mars Observer shortly before entering Martian orbit. The reason behind communication loss is unknown, but it was said to have been because of fuel tank damage.
Japan launched a mission to Mars in 1998, but the spacecraft failed to enter orbit.
Nasa’s Mars Climate Orbiter failed to enter orbit in 1999 because engineers programmed in the wrong measurements and it burned up in the atmosphere.
The 2000s was a more successful period for Mars missions, specifically orbiters. The European Space Agency managed to place the Mars Beagle 2 probe in orbit but the lander failed.
Nasa’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers were sent successfully. Both discovered key findings on dried river beds.
In 2016, ESA sent the Trace Gas Orbiter to Mars, which is still operational. The lander on the same mission failed to reach.
China tried launching a spacecraft to a Mars moon in 2011. It failed to reach Earth’s orbit after the Russian rocket that was carrying it failed. However, China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter and lander is expected to reach Mars on February 10, 2021.
In 2014, India became the only country to reach orbit in a maiden mission.
What chances does Hope probe have?
Statistics show more than half of Mars missions fail, but a lot of them were in the early era of space exploration when technology was not as advanced.
The success rate of placing spacecraft into Martian orbit grew significantly in the 2000s.
The risks that need to be considered now are thrusters not firing at the right time or failing entirely, fuel tank issues, going off course, missing the target orbit and doing a fly-by instead, damage to radio and losing communications, among many others.
The spacecraft has three pairs of Delta V thrusters. It cannot afford to lose more than one pair.
The orbit entry burn will run for 27 minutes, with a success signal expected at 8.08pm.
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
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 General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
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.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
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
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
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
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.
Emirates Airline Foundation
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.
Emirates Red Crescent
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
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.
Noor Dubai Foundation
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).
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