More than half of previous missions to Mars have not succeeded due to reasons ranging from rocket failures after lift-off and failed landing attempts, to unsuccessful orbit entries.
At 7.30pm on Tuesday, the UAE’s Hope spacecraft will attempt to enter Mars' orbit, where it will remain for the duration of its mission to collect data.
It has already completed several key stages, including launch into space and vital course correction manoeuvres, in which the thrusters it will use to enter orbit were tested.
As the probe prepares to reach Mars, The National explores some of the potential risks associated with the orbit insertion attempt.
History of failures
There have been so many failed Mars missions that the planet was often called the "spacecraft graveyard" or "where spacecrafts go to die".
However, a lot of these unsuccessful attempts took place between the 1960s and 1990s.
The former Soviet Union – which encompassed what is today Russia, Ukraine and other countries – had the worst luck.
It launched several unsuccessful Mars missions in the 1960s.
They began with the Marsnik-1 spacecraft, which was meant to do a fly-by of the planet. It failed to reach Earth’s orbit and was destroyed.
Another seven attempts in the same decade and early 1970s all failed.
Reasons varied, from the spacecraft exploding after reaching Earth’s orbit, failed radio communication, going off course, to batteries dying or solar panels being lost.
In 1971, a Soviet Union spacecraft was finally placed into orbit. The lander that flew with the same mission, however, crashed.
US space agency Nasa managed to send two spacecrafts to Mars in 1969.
Between the 1970s to 1980s, the former Soviet Union attempted more Mars missions with no notable ones giving desired results. Most of their landing attempts failed.
In 1976, Nasa managed to send its Viking 1 and Viking 2 orbiters and landers to the Red Planet, both ending in success.
However, Nasa has also experienced failures. In the 1990s, mission control lost communication with the Mars Observer shortly before entering Martian orbit. The reason behind communication loss is unknown, but it was said to have been because of fuel tank damage.
Japan launched a mission to Mars in 1998, but the spacecraft failed to enter orbit.
Nasa’s Mars Climate Orbiter failed to enter orbit in 1999 because engineers programmed in the wrong measurements and it burned up in the atmosphere.
The 2000s was a more successful period for Mars missions, specifically orbiters. The European Space Agency managed to place the Mars Beagle 2 probe in orbit but the lander failed.
Nasa’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers were sent successfully. Both discovered key findings on dried river beds.
In 2016, ESA sent the Trace Gas Orbiter to Mars, which is still operational. The lander on the same mission failed to reach.
China tried launching a spacecraft to a Mars moon in 2011. It failed to reach Earth’s orbit after the Russian rocket that was carrying it failed. However, China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter and lander is expected to reach Mars on February 10, 2021.
In 2014, India became the only country to reach orbit in a maiden mission.
What chances does Hope probe have?
Statistics show more than half of Mars missions fail, but a lot of them were in the early era of space exploration when technology was not as advanced.
The success rate of placing spacecraft into Martian orbit grew significantly in the 2000s.
The risks that need to be considered now are thrusters not firing at the right time or failing entirely, fuel tank issues, going off course, missing the target orbit and doing a fly-by instead, damage to radio and losing communications, among many others.
The spacecraft has three pairs of Delta V thrusters. It cannot afford to lose more than one pair.
The orbit entry burn will run for 27 minutes, with a success signal expected at 8.08pm.
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Sri Lanka's T20I squad
Thisara Perera (captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
ON%20TRACK
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
