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NASA to UAE's Hope Probe: Welcome to Mars

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KT Photo: Shihab

KT Photo: Shihab

Dubai - We are impressed by the speed the UAE has demonstrated in developing its first interplanetary spacecraft, it said.

Published: Tue 9 Feb 2021, 9:22 PM

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Messages of kudos are pouring in from every quarter on the occasion of the UAE making history with the successful insertion of the Hope Probe into Martian orbit — not least from outer space!

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Nasa's Perseverance Mars Rover, which launched into orbit on July 30 last year on the heels of the Hope Probe, was quick to 'tweet' a very thoughtful tribute to the UAE space mission — quoting a famed Iraqi poet to boot.

"Dear Hope Mars Mission, congratulations on arriving at Mars! In the words of the poet Al Mutanabbi: If you ventured in pursuit of glory, don’t be satisfied with less than the stars," read the post.

Abu at-Tayyib Ahmad bin Al-Husayn al-Mutanabbi al-Kindi is known as one of the most prominent poets of the Arabic language.

NASA's Perseverance rover is set to land on Mars on Thursday, February 18 — the last of three space expeditions to the Red Planet this month.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has saluted the UAE's efforts as well for being the first-ever Arab interplanetary mission to enter the Red Planet’s orbit.

“We are impressed by the speed the UAE has demonstrated in developing its first interplanetary spacecraft. Moreover, the UAE’s commitment to advancing knowledge of our solar system and sharing it with all of humanity demonstrates the true spirit of exploration,” a Nasa spokesperson told Khaleej Times.

Last year, the UAE Space Agency, along with seven other countries, signed Nasa’s Artemis Accords for safe and peaceful cooperation in space.

The spokesperson added: “We are excited by the prospect of future collaboration in Artemis on the Moon as well as Mars.”



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