The feat makes the UAE the fifth space agency to reach the planet, while it plans to establish a settlement on Mars in 2117.
The UAE’s first mission to Mars has entered the orbit of the red planet after a seven-month journey of 494 million kilometers (307 million miles), allowing it to begin sending data about the atmosphere and the Martian climate.
Mission control officials erupted in applause on Tuesday, visibly relieved after a tense half hour, as Amal, an Arab in hopes, carried out a “burn” to slow down enough to be dragged by Martian gravity. .
“Contact with #HopeProbe has been re-established. The insertion of the Mars orbit has already been completed, “said the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC).
“To the people of the United Arab Emirates, to the Arab and Muslim nations, we announce the successful arrival in Mars orbit. Praise be to God, ”said Omran Sharaf, project manager for the mission.
Amal had to make a series of turns and engine shots to maneuver in orbit, reducing its speed to 18,000 km / h (11,200 km / h) from more than 121,000 km / h (75,000 mph).
Tuesday’s announcement makes the UAE space agency the fifth to arrive on Mars.
The probes launched by China and NASA just after the departure of the UAE in July last year will also have to reach the planet this month.
The Emirates Mars mission, which has cost approximately $ 200 million, launched the Hope Probe from a Japanese space center.
The Mars program is part of the United Arab Emirates’ efforts to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its dependence on oil. His space agency has a plan for a settlement on Mars in 2117.
Its goal is to provide a complete picture of the Martian atmosphere for the first time, studying daily and seasonal changes.