The Hope Probe is said to be in a critical phase as it will set out to enter into Mars orbit on 9 February at 7.42pm, UAE time.
The Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) is a risky stage when the Hope Probe will have to slow down sufficiently to be captured into Mars orbit. As it approaches the Mars orbit, the spacecraft will use its thrusters to reduce its speed.
The Hope Probe will be the first Arab interplanetary mission to enter into Mars orbit.
Omran Sharaf, Project Director of Emirates Mars Mission, said "Precision is fundamental to success to avoid the Hope Probe crashing on Mars or missing its orbit and getting lost in deep space. The design, system and software that will be used for the MOI are all Emirati-made. This is in line with the directive from the UAE leadership to build and not to buy."
Once the Hope Probe arrives at Mars, it will take the first-ever picture of the Martian atmosphere.
The Hope Probe was launched from Tanegashima Island in Japan on 20 July 2020.