UAE Gathers Data from Mars
The Claim
The UAE has entered Mars's orbit and is now gathering scientific data.
News posted on
Emerging story
Many on social media are reporting that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a spacecraft that has successfully entered Mars's orbit and is gathering scientific data.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: Misbar has learned the UAE has reached the furthest point in space in Arab history according to the Khaleej Times. The accomplishment makes the UAE the fifth country in the world and the first Arab one to reach Mars. The UAE space mission involves launching a spacecraft named Hope Probe, to send back a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere and its layers.
On May 23, 2021, the Emirates Mars Mission announced it has completed initialization of the spacecraft and is now ready to begin scientific data gathering. The spacecraft will make one orbit around the planet every 55 hours and will record a complete set of data about the planet every nine days. The mission is planned to last for two years.
According to dw.com, women are leading the mission, making up 80% of the program’s scientific team. Leading the science mission as deputy project manager is Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri. At 34 years old, the former computer scientist represents a new face of Arab scientists and engineers.
