DUBAI: The UAE’s Hope probe has entered the orbit of Mars after a six-month-long voyage into outer space.
There were cheers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center when mission control received information that the manouver had been success.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid congratulated staff at the center.
Now follow our coverage of the events as they happen (all times GMT):
16:30 - There it is, the UAE's Hope probe has successfully entered into an orbit around Mars.
The success of the manouver was announced by project director Omran Sharaf. "To the people of the UAE, to the Arab and Muslim nations, we announce the succesful arrival to Mars orbit. Praise be to God," he said, sparking celebrations.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid congratulated staff at the center.
16:00 - The mission command center says the Hope probe has fired the thrusters required to attempt the "Mars orbit insertion". This now the critical phase of the manouver. The burn of fuel will reduce the speed of the probe from over 121,000 kph to approximately 18,000 kph.
15:35 - Arab News spoke to Salem Al-Marri, assistant director general for scientific and technical affairs at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. He said the mission shows the advanced technological capability of the UAE.
He also said the data gathered if the orbit is successful would benefit everyone attempting to study Mars.
15:20 - Dubai's Burj Khalifa was lit up with a spectacular light show as the Emirates was gripped by the mission and whether the critical manouver to enter Mars' orbit. would be a success.
15:00 - The UAE's minister for energy and infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al-Mazrouei has been speaking to Dubai One TV about the mission. He said the mission sent a message of hope of what can be achieved and also would contribute to the scientific community.
14:50 - In July last year, Arab news paid a visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to speak to the scientists involved in the launch of the probe that blasted off in July. Read the story HERE and watch the video below:
14:26 - Just under two hours to go until the probe begins what is known in the space world as a "Mars orbit insertion" burn, that aims to push the probe into the orbit of the Red Planet. You can see our previous coverage and stories about the remarkable story of the UAE's Mars mission HERE.
12:00 - In Muscat the arches fountain was lit up red to commemorate the historic event
06:55 - Baghdad lit up it's museum and mall in a sign of unity
