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In an historic day for the nation, the UAE’s Hope Probe Mars Mission is due to enter the Red Planet’s orbit, with the manoeuvre starting from 7:30 pm UAE time.
The Probe has to slow down in a highly complex procedure called the Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) to achieve entry.
The MOI will last an uninterrupted 27 minutes. Nearly half of the fuel will be spent to slow the Hope Probe down enough to capture Mars’ orbit.
During this time, the speed of the spacecraft will decelerate from its cruising speed of 121,000 kmph down to 18,000 kmph.
The Hope Probe approaches Mars with such a velocity that it will slingshot around it and continue into deep space if it hasn't slowed down to the level where it can be captured by the planet's gravity.