Sheikh Khalifa leads tributes as UAE celebrates Mars mission success

UAE's Hope probe successfully entered Mars' orbit on Tuesday evening

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National

A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter

UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National

The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Khalifa led the tributes as the nation rejoiced over the success of the Hope probe's historic journey to Mars.

The UAE on Tuesday evening became only the fifth nation in the world to successfully send a spacecraft to the Red Planet.

Frayed nerves gave way to jubilation when the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre received the message that a remarkable mission had been accomplished.

Sheikh Khalifa congratulated the country's citizens and residents on a brilliant new chapter in the UAE's history,

He praised Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for their roles in the success.

"This historic achievement would not have been possible without the persistence and determination to implement the idea that emerged at the end of 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who followed it up closely until its success," Sheikh Khalifa said.

He said the support of Sheikh Mohamed had proved pivotal.

"Thanks to both leaders and the team of scientists and engineers behind the project for proving to the world that the UAE is capable of achieving the impossible," Sheikh Khalifa said.

Senior figures in the UAE joined the chorus of praise as the UAE's space sector took a huge leap forward.

Huge outpouring of support as UAE makes it mark in history

"The Hope probe’s historic arrival to Mars is the greatest celebration of the 50th anniversary of our country." - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai

"The entry of the Hope Probe into the orbit of Mars is a significant accomplishment in our nation’s history." - Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

"The Hope probe’s historic space journey to Mars is a significant Arab and Emirati achievement." - Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai

"What has made this mission remarkable is not only the 200 Emiratis that were working on this, it's the 450 people from different continents, backgrounds and beliefs." - Sarah Al Amiri, chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency

"February 9, 2021 marks a new dawn in the Emirati and Arab space exploration journey. Congratulations to our leadership, Emiratis and Arabs on the successful Mars orbit insertion of the Hope probe." - Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE astronaut

"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.' - Nasa Perseverance Rover

"We congratulate Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for this incredible accomplishment, guided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's inspiring vision to set up the first Arab interplanetary mission." - Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chief executive of Emirates airline

"Congratulations to the UAE on their arrival at Mars today. Their Hope orbiter will perform a detailed study of the atmosphere, which long ago sustained running water on the Martian surface. Now it doesn’t. Lessons for us back on Earth, waiting to be learned." - Neil De Grasse Tyson, astrophysicist

"The probe’s success in entering the Martian orbit and commencing its scientific mission is a momentous milestone in the UAE’s journey. It leaves an imprint in history that reflects the hard work of a nation that is not yet 50 years old." - Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment

"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." - Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.