The UAE’s Hope probe completed four years in orbit around Mars on Sunday and is continuing to deliver crucial scientific data that is helping researchers better understand the Red Planet’s atmosphere, weather and potential signs of past life.
On February 9, 2021, the country became the first Arab nation and the fifth worldwide to enter the planet’s orbit with a car-sized spacecraft.
Since then, researchers around the world have been using the probe's data to fill the gaps in understanding Mars’s climate history, atmospheric dynamics and the presence of biosignature gases that could indicate whether the planet once hosted life.
The mission has also provided unprecedented insights into Martian auroras, weather patterns and one of the planet’s two moons, Deimos.
“The fourth anniversary of the Hope Probe’s arrival at Mars marks a significant milestone, not only for the UAE but for the global scientific community,” Dr Dimitra Atri, an astrophysicist at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), told The National.
“The success of the Hope Probe has also enabled the establishment of my research group at the university, where a team of over two dozen researchers and students, including a number of UAE nationals, has been working tirelessly to analyse and interpret the mission’s data.”
Major scientific contributions
The probe’s unique elliptical orbit allows it to observe Mars from varying altitudes, providing an unprecedented view of its weather patterns, seasonal changes and atmospheric composition.
One of its key scientific contributions has been the creation of a high-resolution Atlas of Mars, developed by the research team at NYUAD.
“By applying advanced algorithms to thousands of images and data sets from Hope, we’ve produced a comprehensive visual and analytical resource of the planet with unparalleled clarity,” Dr Atri said.
Hope’s ultraviolet spectrometer, one of its three science instruments, has also detected a never-before-seen Martian aurora stretching thousands of kilometres across the planet. Scientists are now using this data to study how solar winds interact with Mars’ thin atmosphere, which could help explain why the planet lost its once-thick atmosphere and vast amounts of water.
The search for life on Mars
Dr Atri’s team is also using Hope’s data to track methane, which could hint at past or present microbial activity. These gases are known to break down quickly, so their detection in the Martian atmosphere would suggest a continuing process, possibly biological.
“We are also working on an AI-powered weather prediction model for Mars. Leveraging Hope’s extensive data set, this model aims to forecast Martian weather patterns, including dust storms and temperature fluctuations, with remarkable precision,” said Dr Atri.
“Such tools are essential for planning future missions and ensuring the safety of astronauts on the planet.”
Hope’s probe’s lasting legacy
The success of the mission has put the UAE on the map in global space exploration and paved the way for more ambitious missions.
Emirati engineers are now developing the MBR Explorer, which will launch in 2028 to explore seven asteroids and will swing by Venus and Mars to reach there.
Mohammed Omran Alameri, lead engineer for space projects at the UAE Space Agency, told The National that they are working with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder again, as they did for the Hope probe mission.
“We’re going beyond Mars, and we’re getting very close to the Sun when we do the Venus gravity assist maneouver,” said Mr Alameri.
“The Venus gravity itself – it's imposed a lot of thermal constraints. The spacecraft needs to be able to dissipate a lot of heat because we're close to the Sun.
“At the same time, when we go to the asteroid belt, it's a very cold environment, so you need the heat to be within the spacecraft.”
He said the spacecraft would use an electric propulsion system, which is essential for long-duration missions like this one.
Solar arrays, measuring 16 metres, on the MBR Explorer will help generate a significant amount of power to run the propulsion system and other critical systems.
They would also help the craft stay at the right temperature, ensuring it can handle both the extreme heat near Venus and the freezing cold of the asteroid belt.
The mission is being developed in collaboration with local companies to help give a boost to the private industry.
Omran Sharaf helped lead the UAE's mission to Mars and was later appointed as the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for Advanced Science and Technology.
He said at the Mars Society Convention in 2021 that MBR Explorer would test how well the UAE’s space team can transfer the knowledge gained from the Mars project to the private sector.
“It's a new and critical phase in the UAE space programme because one of the biggest challenges is how we can ensure that the knowledge that we've gained through the Mars and previous missions is properly given to the private sector,” Mr Sharaf said.
“Because, ultimately, this is about serving our economy and addressing our environmental challenges.”
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
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The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
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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 one: how cars came to the UAE
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Company%20profile
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Zayed Sustainability Prize
ELECTION%20RESULTS
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The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The five pillars of Islam
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
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Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
