Local Press: UAE’s Space Ventures Fly In The Face Of The Pandemic
Muhammad Irfan Published December 19, 2020 | 11:00 AM
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 19th Dec, 2020) A UAE newspaper said that 2020 may be the year of the coronavirus, where a single disease revamped the thinking of the whole planet, hurtling millions into an abysmal world of sudden gloom and doom totally beyond their control.
"Truly, it has been quite a year like no other, leaving an unprecedented trail of deaths which number millions in its wake," said Gulf Today in an editorial on Saturday.
It added, "It grounded airlines whose future lay, and still is, up in the air; travellers used to constant movement were forced to stay put in one place; entertainment was chucked out of the window as doors were barred for moviegoers. The corridors of knowledge in the form of schools and colleges were shut; even the hallowed portals of places of worship were at one stage out of bounds for the faithful. It seemed as if Providence were pouring wrath on an utterly ruthless mankind notorious for flagrant breach of rules.
"However, even amid the wide, wide, sea of despondency and disaster, there were rays of optimism. And one field that showed remarkable activity in these distressing times was the space sector, which has provided some respite from the worries over the virus.
"Astronauts blasted into orbit from the US for the first time in nearly a decade while robotic explorers grabbed rocks from the moon and gravel from an asteroid for return to Earth.
"It promises to do the same in 2021, with February’s landings at Mars and next fall’s planned launch of the Hubble Space Telescope’s successor – the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope. Elon Musk’s SpaceX became the first private company to put people into orbit, an achievement previously claimed by just three global superpowers.
"China also set its sights on the moon in 2020, landing and then launching off the lunar surface in December with the first moon rocks collected for return to Earth since the 1970s. Japan brought back pieces of asteroid Ryugu– its second asteroid batch in a decade.
"Although the coronavirus pandemic complicated space operations around the globe in 2020, most high-priority missions remained on track, led by the US, China and the United Arab Emirates in a ‘race’ to Mars.
"The UAE’s first interplanetary spacecraft, an orbiter, will scrutinise the Martian atmosphere."
The paper noted, "The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) is a shining example of innovation, adventurism and futuristic endeavour, the likes of which have never seen before. The UAE has pioneered the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission, much to the delight of not just thousands of expectant Emiratis, but the region as well.
"The Hope Probe, which was launched on July 20 this year, is slated to reach its planned orbit around Mars on February 9th, 2021.
"Truly it is the culmination of a 50-year journey, which began in 1971. It also marks the beginning of another 50 years that will bring about major achievements based in the fields of science, knowledge and innovation."
The editorial went on to quote His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who said, "The Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe has succeeded in instilling a new culture in the hearts and minds of this nation’s men and women; a culture that prioritises science in shaping our future and reiterates our nation’s limitless ambitions after successfully entering space. We have become the first Arab country to succeed in exploring a planet, and our nation joins an exclusive group of only seven countries that have explored Mars."
"It should be noted that the European and Russian space agencies skipped the 2020 Mars launch window, their life-sniffing Mars rover grounded until 2022 because of technical issues and COVID-19 restrictions," it explained.
"The UAE is not deterred by obstacles. Yes, the word ‘impossible’ may be a part of a title of blockbuster Hollywood movies, but Emirati ethos has banned the word," the Sharjah-based daily said in conclusion.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago