The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP
The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP
It will take the spacecraft, which later detached from the rocket, about 200 days to reach the Red Planet, arriving in February 2021. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
It will take the spacecraft, which later detached from the rocket, about 200 days to reach the Red Planet, arriving in February 2021. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter
Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter
Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
An Emirati man wipes a tear away with his face mask while watching the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
An Emirati man wipes a tear away with his face mask while watching the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP
Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
Solid rocket booster (SRB-A) was separated after burnout during the launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, are recorded by cameras onboard the rocket after the lauch from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS
Solid rocket booster (SRB-A) was separated after burnout during the launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, are recorded by cameras onboard the rocket after the lauch from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services
Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP
Sarah Al Ameeri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences of United Arab Emirates, celebrates with Naohiko Abe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Senior Vice President, Head of Integrated Defence and Space Systems, after the successful launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, at Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS
Sarah Al Ameeri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences of United Arab Emirates, celebrates with Naohiko Abe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Senior Vice President, Head of Integrated Defence and Space Systems, after the successful launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, at Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS
Emiratis are pictured at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai ahead of the expected launch of the "Hope" Mars probe from Japan. AFP
Emiratis are pictured at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai ahead of the expected launch of the "Hope" Mars probe from Japan. AFP
The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency
Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services

Science

UAE’s Hope probe: Journey to Mars nears halfway mark

First Arab mission to Mars was launched in July 2020 and should arrive in early February 2021

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

October 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

UAE's Hope Probe is almost halfway to Mars since beginning its journey to the Red Planet 79 days ago.

Launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Island, the orbiter has travelled more than 215.5 million kilometres out of the total 495m km distance.

Emirati engineers are gearing up to make the third course correction manoeuvre next month, as the halfway point of the journey nears.

Live tracking is available on the Emirates Mars Mission website and it appears the probe's arrival date will be February 9 or 10.

Once it arrives, the weather satellite will stay in the planet’s science orbit for two years to study the upper and lower atmosphere. It will send back one terabyte of data, which will be openly shared with scientists and education and research institutions worldwide.

On Wednesday, The National spoke to the Emirates Mars Mission team on the mission status.

Correcting the course

Engineers at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre's ground control have carried out two course correction manoeuvres, known as trajectory correction manoeuvres (TCM), so far. The first took place on August 11 and the other on August 28.

The spacecraft makes these adjustments by firing its thrusters to re-position itself and ensure that it remains on the correct path to Mars.

The operations control room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where Emirati personnel track and communicate with UAE's Mars Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
The operations control room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where Emirati personnel track and communicate with UAE's Mars Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Zakareyya Al Shamsi, the deputy manager of mission operations, explains how the team is constantly tracking the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Zakareyya Al Shamsi, the deputy manager of mission operations, explains how the team is constantly tracking the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Mohammad Al Balooshi, flight controller, sends the 'go/no-go' instructions to the person responsible for issuing commands to the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Mohammad Al Balooshi, flight controller, sends the 'go/no-go' instructions to the person responsible for issuing commands to the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Mr Al Shamsi explains how they track the UAE's Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
Mr Al Shamsi explains how they track the UAE's Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
The UAE's Hope probe lifted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20, 1.58am UAE time. AFP
The UAE's Hope probe lifted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20, 1.58am UAE time. AFP
The final version of the spacecraft has two solar panels that help power its systems. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission
The final version of the spacecraft has two solar panels that help power its systems. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
Omran Sharaf is the project director for the Emirates' Hope space probe to Mars. AP
Omran Sharaf is the project director for the Emirates' Hope space probe to Mars. AP

There are about six to seven such manoeuvres planned, with the next one scheduled for November.

“The reason why [TCM 3] is critical is because we are almost halfway through the journey,” said Omran Sharaf, project director of the mission.

"TCM 1 was critical because it was the first one we performed after separation from the launcher. The second was also important because it's the first time we incorporated the data we received from the first TCM into our planning to see if we get even more accurate results."

Protecting the spacecraft from solar radiation

One of the risks involved during a spacecraft’s journey in outer space is solar radiation.

Although it is smooth sailing for the Hope Probe right now, the closer it gets to Mars, the more unstable the space environment gets.

“We have different layers of protection – the main one being the multilayer insulation,” said Mohsen Al Awadhi, mission systems engineer and risk manager of the mission.

"It is mainly for temperature control, but we've designed it in a way that it reduces any kind of radiation that hits the spacecraft."

There have been major strides in space exploration in 2020, including the launch of the UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission
There have been major strides in space exploration in 2020, including the launch of the UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission

The components of Hope, particularly all of its systems and instruments, were strategically designed to be protected in space.

“That’s why it's not cheap to go to space, because things are made specifically for a space environment,” said Mr Al Awadhi.

Entering Mars’ Orbit

The most challenging part of the mission is the Mars orbit insertion (MOI).

More than 50 per cent of Mars missions fail and only India has managed to enter the planet's orbit in a first attempt.

Due to the time delay and communication outage during the insertion, Hope will carry out an automated entry. It will do a 30-minute fuel burn using its thrusters and reduce its speed from 121,000 kilometres per hour to 18,000kph.

If the probe goes too fast, it will crash on Mars or miss it entirely.

Mr Sharaf said he is confident in his team's abilities but also feels nervous as the orbit insertion nears.

"Yes, I am very nervous about it," he said. "At the end of the day, no matter how much you do, a very small mistake happens or if something goes slightly off, you lose the whole mission.

"Orbit insertion is a very risky operation. A lot of the countries couldn't make it in their first attempt. We are aware of that and we're trying to mitigate the risks."

He said the mission was working to assess the risks early on and reduce them before they turn into anomalies.

Hope’s systems were turned on and tested. The spacecraft is performing well but its systems will be measured again once it gets closer to Mars to see how they react to that space environment.

Once it enters the Martian atmosphere, the next step will be the science orbit insertion – where it will stay for the remainder of the mission.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Where to apply

Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020. 

Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020. 

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