In pictures: Landmarks across UAE, region turn red for Hope Probe’s imminent arrival to Mars

The UAE is poised to become only the 5th country ever to enter Mars’ orbit

by Zainab Mansoor

February 7, 2021

Several structures and buildings across the UAE and the Arab World donned a red hue in anticipation of the UAE Hope Probe’s expected arrival to Mars on February 9.

All Etisalat buildings in the country lit up in red, while Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and Global Village too bore the flaming hue. Meanwhile, the Dubai International Financial Center building (DIFC) and the Dubai Frame building also changed their colours.

Landmarks across the #UAE put on a red tint to mark the anticipated arrival of UAE’s Hope Probe to planet Mars.@HopeMarsMission pic.twitter.com/nYDhUYylHM

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 6, 2021

Other prominent landmarks and buildings in Dubai that were painted red included the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, the Etihad Museum, the Museum of the Future, the Dubai Museum (Al Fahidi Fort), the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), Expo 2020, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the Dubai Police Academy and Global Village. The Dubai Police Headquarters, General Administration of Criminal Evidence and Criminology, the Dubai Police Club, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the landmarks of the Dubai Water Canal, and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), official news agency WAM reported.

The Emirates Mars Mission will study the Martian atmosphere – Image Courtesy: WAM

Hotels are also adorned in red including the Four Seasons, Shangri-La Dubai, Crowne Dubai, Sheraton Grand, Millennium Place Marina, W Dubai The Palm, Media One, RIU Hotels, Dubai Festival City Hotels, Bandar Rotana Dubai Creek, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, Millennium Place Barsha Heights. Hayat Place Dubai Jumeirah, Marco Polo Dubai, Ramada Suites by Wyndham Jumeirah Beach Residence, Grand Excelsior Bur Dubai, Hayat Place Dubai Al Rigga, Radisson Blu Dubai Silicon Oasis, Nakheel Mall, Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel, The Green Planet, canopy lights in Bluewaters, streetlights Boulevard in City Walk, and Time Oak Hotel and Suites.

In Abu Dhabi, landmarks include Qasr Al Wattan Emirates Palace, Khalifa University, various ADNOC locations, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), YAS Island, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality Al Ain Municipality, Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Hazza Stadium.

Countries in the Arab region are also lighting up their landmarks – Image Courtesy: WAM

In Sharjah, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SHUROOQ), the Flag Island Building and the Flag Island Pole, House of Wisdom, Maryam Island and ADNOC, were lit up in red. In Fujairah, Fujairah Fort, Al Bidya Mosque, Fujairah Mall, as well as certain ADNOC locations and streets from Al Qasr Roundabout to Fujairah Municipality roundabout turned red.

In Ajman, the Ajman Municipality, Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), Heritage District Ajman, Municipality and Planning Department, as well as the intersection of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Bridge, Sheikh Maktoum Bridge and Al Rawda Bridge intersection lit up.

Landmarks such as Al Dhahia Fort, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) Headquarters in Nakheel, RAK Chamber, RAK National Museum, RAK Municipality, RAK Police Headquarters, ADNOC, Al Jazirat Al Hamra, Al Qawasim Corniche, Jabal Jeis viewing deck, Hilton Double Tree Al Murjan, Rixos Bab Al Bahar, Waldorf Astoria and Manar Mall promenade, were illuminated in Ras Al Khaimah.

The UAE Hope Probe moves forward to enter orbit around Mars – Image Courtesy: WAM

Countries in the Arab region also lit up their landmarks in celebration of the first-ever Arab interplanetary mission. “The Zone” on Takhassusi Street in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the Bahrain World Trade Center in Bahrain; the Kuwait Tower in Kuwait; The Cairo Tower in Egypt; the Roman Theatre in Jordan; The Iraq Museum and the Baghdad Mall, Iraq have turned red to celebrate the anticipated Hope probe’s arrival to Mars.

The UAE Hope Probe moves forward to enter orbit around Mars after overcoming the most critical part of its mission. The manoeuvre involves reversing the spacecraft and firing the Hope probe’s six Delta-V thrusters in a 27-minute ‘burn’ to rapidly slow down the speed of the spacecraft from 121,000 km/h to 18,000 km/h. During the Mars Orbit Insertion phase, contact between the probe and the operations team will be kept to a minimum.

Read: Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe: All you need to know