Abu dhabi: The United Arab Emirates Space Agency has announced the extension of the Emirates Mars Mission, known as the Hope Probe, for an additional three years, now set to continue its operations until 2028. This decision comes as a result of the mission's ongoing successes and the efficient operation of its scientific instruments, which have been crucial in gathering precise data on Mars' atmosphere and climate.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Hope Probe is actively using its scientific instruments, including the Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI), the Emirates Mars InfraRed Spectrometer (EMIRS), and the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS), to collect valuable scientific data. In October 2025, the probe achieved a significant milestone by observing the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, further enhancing its contribution to astronomical research.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Board of the UAE Space Agency, emphasized that the mission's extension underscores the UAE's dedication to maximizing the scientific impact of its space investments and bolstering its role within the global scientific community. He highlighted that the mission aligns with the UAE's long-term strategic goals, supporting the establishment of a sustainable knowledge economy and fostering the development of national talent.
Since entering Mars' orbit in 2021, the Hope Probe has played a pivotal role in expanding the national space ecosystem, evidenced by an increase in the number of entities operating in the sector and a doubling of specialized academic programs in aerospace engineering from 2015 to 2025. The mission has also released over 10 terabytes of open scientific data in 16 public data releases and published more than 35 peer-reviewed scientific papers, contributing significantly to the academic and scientific community.