Mars Hope probe unveils unique Deimos observations

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, has unveiled a series of unique and ground-breaking observations of Mars’ smaller moon, Deimos.

They challenge the long-standing theory that Mars’ moons are captured asteroids and instead point to a planetary origin.

The observations, shared during a special session at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna on Monday, provide new insights into Deimos’ makeup and structure.

These include high resolution images taken during the closest repeated fly-bys of the moon, as well as the first ever observations made in extreme and far ultraviolet and the first well-resolved hyperspectral data of Deimos in thermal infrared.

The observations reveal, for the first time, regions on the far-side of Deimos which have never been compositionally investigated. The closest fly-bys saw Hope pass approximately 100km from the smaller moon orbiting Mars.

“We are unsure of the origins of both Phobos and Deimos,” said Hessa Al Matroushi, EMM Science Lead. “One long-standing theory is that they are captured asteroids, but there are unresolved questions about their composition. How exactly they came to be in their current orbits is also an active area of study, and so any new information we can gain on the two moons, especially the more rarely observed Deimos, has the potential to unlock new understanding of Mars’ satellites. Our close observations of Deimos so far point to a planetary origin rather than reflecting the composition of a type D asteroid as has been postulated."

The new findings come as the UAE Space Agency, responsible for the funding and operation of the Emirates Mars Mission, confirmed the extension of EMM’s mission for a further year.

“The remarkable performance of the Mars Hope probe has supported a whole range of new observations in addition to meeting our originally stated science mission goals,” said UAE Space Agency Chair Sarah Al Amiri.

“We made new observations in partnership with ESA/JAXA’s BepiColombo spacecraft during our cruise to Mars, encapsulated a range of novel observations of Mars’ auroral displays including never before observed aurora and now have transferred our orbit to not only continue to support our unique observations of Mars’ atmosphere, but also make new observations of Deimos. In the circumstances, Hope exceeding all expectations, we are extending the Emirates Mars Mission for a further year.”

Commenting on the release of the photos, His Highness Skeikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, tweeted he was "Proud of our young scientists. Proud of our science. Proud of our contribution to the march of human knowledge."

في سابقة عالمية جديدة … مشروع الإمارات لاستكشاف المريخ "مسبار الأمل" يقترب لمسافة ١٠٠ كم من القمر التابع للمريخ "ديموس" .. ويلتقط أوضح صورة حصل عليها البشر لهذا القمر …

تخبرنا النظريات بأن هذا القمر هو كويكب خارجي تم التقاطه ضمن مدار المريخ .. ويدحض مسبار الأمل هذه النظرية… pic.twitter.com/JDOy1fpn6B

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 24, 2023