ABU DHABI — The UAE Space Agency has announced the extension of the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), also known as the Hope Probe, until 2028, extending the first interplanetary mission undertaken by an Arab nation and reinforcing the country’s long-term commitment to space science and innovation.
The extension follows the strong operational performance of the Hope Probe since entering Mars’ orbit in 2021. The mission will continue to deliver scientific data on the Martian atmosphere while providing valuable operational and technical experience for future deep space initiatives, including the UAE’s planned mission to the asteroid belt.
Officials stated that extending the mission allows the UAE to maximise the scientific and strategic value of its investment in space exploration while strengthening its contribution to global scientific research. The mission has already generated significant outcomes, including new insights into Mars’ climate and atmospheric dynamics, observations of auroral activity, and close fly-bys of Mars’ moon Deimos that have contributed to understanding its origins.
Since launch, the Hope Probe has collected more than ten terabytes of scientific data, shared with over 200 academic and research institutions worldwide through multiple data releases. The mission also expanded its scientific scope in 2025 by capturing images of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, demonstrating the spacecraft’s extended research capabilities beyond its original objectives.
The Emirates Mars Mission has also played a broader role in strengthening the UAE’s national space ecosystem. The number of space-sector entities in the country has tripled between 2020 and 2025, while university programmes in aerospace and space-related disciplines have expanded significantly, supporting talent development and research capacity.
The extension reflects the UAE’s strategy of positioning the space sector as a pillar of its knowledge-based economy, supporting innovation, scientific advancement, and future mission readiness while creating new opportunities for national talent and international collaboration.
