UAE Hope Probe success will give fillip to economic progress

Dubai - Top officials and business leaders across the country hail the historic achievement.

As the UAE’s first mission to Mars has reached the red planet and entered its orbit on Tuesday after a seven-month journey, top government officials and corporate executives hailed the success and said the country has emerged as a rising power in the field of space exploration following a successful Mars Mission.

Leading corporate leaders said the UAE’s recent advancements on the space front are very impressive and it will place the emirate among the ranks of leaders in space sciences. They said the Hope Probe will impact technological advancements, which will lead the country to economic progress and diversification.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, said reaching Mars is a new opportunity for Arabs and Muslims to elevate their global standing, and an Emirati message of hope for the new generation in our Arab world – one that boosts their confidence and moves them towards a better future that knows not the impossible.

“Thanks to the UAE’s wise leadership and people, today, we achieved the dream of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE to reach space, and proved that nothing is impossible in the UAE. The Hope Probe’s arrival to Mars reaffirms that the wise leadership's decision to empower and invest in human capital has been successful – where they have put their belief in humans’ capabilities to accomplish the most important space project in our region, and build a prosperous future for the people of the UAE and the Arab and Islamic nation based on science, innovation, and creativity,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said: “Today – under the guidance of our wise leadership that continuously makes the impossible possible in various fields including scientific exploration, which benefits humanity as a whole – we mark a historic leap, and yet another achievement for the UAE. On the arrival of the Hope Probe to Mars, we extend our congratulations to the wise leadership, and we reiterate our commitment to harness all our efforts and capabilities to elevate the UAE’s global standing, and support its transformation towards a sustainable and innovation and knowledge-based economy.”

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said the success of the Hope Probe in reaching the Martian orbit and commencing its two-year long scientific mission has positioned the UAE among the world’s elite nations engaged in space exploration, with a view to discovering the scientific secrets of the Red Planet.

“This moment represents a watershed for the UAE’s flourishing industry and advanced technology sector. Our national competencies in the field of research and development, as well as the skills and capabilities of our young people — for instance, the scientists and engineers who oversaw the construction and journey of the Hope Probe — are well known,” the minister said.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the Hope Probe will drive space research and innovation at home, as well as regionally and globally. “The data collected and analyzed by the probe will feed into the work of academic research institutions. Studying the Red Planet’s atmosphere and environmental degradation will allow for a better understanding of the Earth’s climate and environment,” he said.

The minister also pointed out that some of the most prominent goals of the mission are carrying a message of hope to the Arab region and motivating the new generation of Arab youth to pursue space science, bringing to mind the former glory of Arab scientists.

Sami Al Qamzi, director-general of Dubai Economy, said the Hope Probe epitomises the aspirations of the UAE, and the will of its leadership and citizens to sustain their success as a nation.

“We have not just set our eyes on Mars, but also reaffirmed our commitment to be in the forefront as a future-ready knowledge economy led by enterprising and scientifically astute citizens. Every milestone in this mission takes us a step closer to achieving our vision to be the best and most innovative nation, thereby bringing in further talent and expertise from all over the world,” Qamzi told Khaleej Times on Tuesday.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, this is a significant achievement for the whole world. It will provide the first complete picture of the Martian atmosphere and provide the global scientific community with important information about the Red Planet.

“The Hope Probe has consolidated the UAE’s pioneering global position in space sciences and technologies and has promoted the UAE’s role as a regional hub for developing space sciences and technologies in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to revive the Arab civilisation and prepare the next generation of Arab astronomers and space scientists,” Al Tayer said.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of flydubai, hailed the historic moment and attributed the success to the UAE’s visionary leadership.

“We congratulate the leadership and the people of the UAE on the Emirates Mars Mission reaching the orbit of the planet Mars. This historic achievement underlines the leadership’s success and its continuous eagerness to innovate and lead in space exploration for the betterment of humanity,” Al Ghaith said.

Khalfan Al Mehairbi, director-general of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said this is another record that will be added to the UAE’s long history of accomplishments and further strengthen its efforts to be among leading countries in space research, inspiring young Arab generations to study space science.

“On behalf of ADHA’s management and employees, I extend my sincere congratulations to the wise leadership on this historic accomplishment for the UAE and the Arab world as the Hope Probe has entered the orbit of Mars,” he said.

Hussain Sajwani, founder and Chairman of Damac Properties, said it is a proud moment for the UAE.

"With the Hope Probe successfully reaching Mars, the UAE has become the fifth nation in the world to accomplish the incredible feat and has placed it amongst leading superpowers including the US, China, India and Russia. This is indicative of the consistent drive of UAE leaders who have bold aspirations for the country’s future and continue to elevate the nation on the world stage,” Sajwani said.

“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team for their hardwork and determination. You have made us all very proud to call the UAE our home," he added.

Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, director-general of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, said the arrival of the “Hope Probe” to Mars sets a new bright stage in the history of modern Arabs in general, and the UAE in particular.

“The UAE has become a source of inspiration and hope for new generations in the country and Arab World,” he said.

Al Shamsi added that the UAE, under its ambitious leadership, has worked miracles in all walks of life in a record time.

“The Hope Probe is just an example of such outstanding achievements made over years. This breakthrough has been made possible with an active participation of creative and innovative Emirati minds, he pointed out. “This proves that investing in science, knowledge and education is the "bet" of the present and the future.”

“Our young men and women are now doing scientific wonders, and even not only exploring the space, but rather arriving to Mars, setting a role model for young people in the Arab world and around the globe.”

Dr Raja Al Gurg, president of the Dubai Business Women's Council, said The UAE’s successful mission to the Red Planet marks a new dawn in the Emirati and Arab space exploration journey and represents a catalyst to the creative abilities of the UAE and Arabs peoples.

“The UAE’s unprecedented achievement will pave the way for Emiratis and Arabs to strongly enter the world of innovation, scientific discovery and space exploration,” she said.

She said the historic achievement will be a new beginning for further exceptional achievements, that would keep the UAE’s name attached to every global discovery made through this project.

“The Hope Probe mission will undoubtedly support the UAE’s knowledge-based economy and will contribute to boosting its business environment and its sustainable development. In addition to attracting foreign investments, the mission will also help enhance the country's competitive capabilities across various economic sectors, especially in innovation, technology and advanced scientific fields, something which will strengthen the UAE's global reputation and position in the space industry among other vital fields,” Al Gurg added.