AS IT HAPPENED: UAE Hope probe enters Mars’ orbit

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The Hope probe will share data on the Mars atmosphere. (Supplied)
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The Hope probe launched on July 20, 2020 from Japan. (Supplied) (File/AFP)
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There's a 50% chance of success. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 February 2021
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AS IT HAPPENED: UAE Hope probe enters Mars’ orbit

  • The Hope probe mission completed the "Mars orbit insertion" phase
  • The probe can now gather scientific data about the Martian atmosphere, which will be shared with 200 scientific and academic institutions globally

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.

15:20Dubai'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

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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares. (AP)
Updated 02 January 2026
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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

  • Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.