United Nations Mars Stamps

On 24 April 2022, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued six stamps and three souvenir sheets to celebrate human achievements on Planet Mars. As an inseparable celestial companion of Earth, Mars has been a source of curiosity for mankind since time immemorial. The space community has long strived to uncover the mysteries of Mars and has taken exceptional steps forward in 2021. In a historic year for exploration, three missions reached their destinations on and around the Red Planet. This stamp series celebrates those pioneering achievements. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mars 2020 mission landed on Mars on 18 February 2021. The Mission includes the Perseverance Rover and the Ingenuity Helicopter. The duration is expected to last at least one Mars year (about 687 Earth days). The objective of the Mission is to seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) mission to Mars launched its Hope Probe to study the Martian atmosphere and climate. It successfully entered Martian orbit on 9 February 2022. Hope’s first year. The orbiter confirmed the existence of a discrete aurora, a highly localized atmospheric phenomenon on the night side of the planet, and took note of water-bearing clouds that grow and shrink daily.

The CHF 1,10 stamp features Planet Mars taken by UAE Hope Probe.

The China Nations Space Administration (CNSA) launched its first Mars mission “Tianwen-1”, which consisted of an orbiter, two deployable cameras, lander, remote camera, and the Zhurong Rover. The mission landed on Martian surface on 15 May 2021. The scientific objectives will be achieved by remote and in-situ exploration jointly. The investigations from orbit will focus on the integrated and comprehensive exploration of Mars, for the purpose of establishing an overall scientific context of the planet.

The €0,85 stamp features the pre-selected landing area for Tianwen-1 mission

As humankind races toward Mars, it is important that countries work together to promote international cooperation and peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilization of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. Since 1958, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) works to promote these objectives. For more information about UNOOSA, please visit: https://www.unoosa.org/.

The stamp issue was designed by Sergio Baradat of the UNPA Graphics Design Team.

The images on the stamps and souvenir sheets were supplied by the Emirate Mars Mission team, CNSA and NASA with the support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Date of Issue: 24 April 2022

The 58¢ stamp features Proctor Crater of Mars

The $1.30 stamp features the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

The $1.30 souvenir sheet features the Mars 2020 Ingenuity Helicopter
The CHF 1,50 stamp features Emirates Mars Mission “Ready to Launch”
The CHF 2,00 souvenir sheet features UAE Hope Probe
The €1,00 stamp features the Zhurong Rover operating on Mars
The €1,80 souvenir sheet features the Zhurong Rover Landing Platform
Designer: Sergio Baradat (United Nations)
Format: 6 mini-sheets of 10 stamps
Stamps Denominations: US$ 0.58, US$ 1.38, CHF 1,10, CHF 1,50, €0,85, €1,00
Souvenir Sheets Denominations: $1.30, CHF2,00, €1,80
Stamp size: 30 mm x 40 mm
Sheet size:170 mm x 146 mm
Souvenir sheet – stamps: 44 mm x 44 mm
Souvenir sheet size:82 mm x 82 mm
Photos: NASA, Emirate Mars Mission and CNSA
Printer: Cartor Security Printing (France)
Process: Offset Hexachrome