Members of the history-making UAE Hope probe team were given a warm welcome as they touched down at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Friday night.
The UAE Space Agency team who helped mastermind the Emirates Mars Mission flew back to the UAE from the Haneda International Airport in Japan, following the successful launch of the Hope Probe on July 20.
Airport staff were on the tarmac to greet the delegation on their return from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
The Hope probe will collect information about the Martian atmosphere and should enter the Red Planet's orbit in February, more than 200 days after leaving Earth.
The probe's 500-million kilometre journey has just begun but it is already a testament to youth and investment in science and technology, said Shareef Al Hashmi, the airport’s chief executive officer.
“Developing the UAE’s aerospace sector, through investing in STEM education and the deployment of cutting-edge infrastructure, will have a transformative impact on our nation’s economy and society, encouraging our transition to a knowledge-based economy in line with the objectives of Abu Dhabi Plan and UAE Centennial 2071,” said Mr Al Hashmi.
Hope traveled more than one million kilometres in its first four days.
The Arab world's first mission to the Red Planet has made headlines around the world and won fulsome praise from leaders in the UAE.
President Sheikh Khalifa said the launch was a "glorious day" for the Emirates.
He paid tribute to those who had spearheaded the remarkable project for displaying "bright minds" and being "highly qualified and trained, loyal, and sincere in their loyalty and allegiance."
The Hope probe took off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre at 1.58am UAE time on Monday, July 20.
Two previous attempts to launch the craft in the last week were called off because of adverse weather.
It was third time lucky and a moment to rejoice for an entire nation and, in particular, the country's burgeoning space programme.
Omran Al Sharaf, director of the mission, said the huge responsibility of bringing the Hope probe project to fruition had consumed his life for several years.
Hope's arrival in Mars’ orbit is expected to be in February 2021 and will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the UAE's formation.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
Getting%20there
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The%20Letter%20Writer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Layla%20Kaylif%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eslam%20Al%20Kawarit%2C%20Rosy%20McEwen%2C%20Muhammad%20Amir%20Nawaz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
