The UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars was set to take off tomorrow, however the launch has been delayed.
When does the Hope Probe launch?
Initially set to launch on Wednesday, July 15, the Hope Probe will now take off on Monday, July 20 at 1.58am UAE time.
The delay took place due to bad weather as its launch site, Tanegashima Island, in Japan.
The @UAESpaceAgency and the @MBRSpaceCentre, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announce a delay of the Emirates Mars Mission’s Hope Probe launch due to the weather conditions at the launch site of Tanegashima Island in Japan.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 14, 2020
What is the Hope Probe?
At the beginning of this year HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, signed the remaining outer piece for the probe which will launch into space.
The probe is being spearheaded by the UAE in order to gain a full picture on what the atmosphere of Mars is like. It is expected the Hope Probe will take an estimated 200 days to arrive on Mars. Once the probe reaches the planet some time in 2021, data will be collected over a two-year period, but this could be extended by another two years meaning the Hope Probe has the potential to be in space until 2025.
Hope is more than just a word. Hope has become a probe that carries with it our ambitions for Mars and beyond. #HopeMarsMission pic.twitter.com/0UW3mGKARV
— Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) July 12, 2020
Speaking ahead of the launch of the probe, Emirati engineer Hamad Al Hazmi explained to Gulf News the Mars Mission has opened a “new horizon” for the United Arab Emirates.
“No one would have thought that an Arab or Islamic country would reach this level,” he said. “The UAE has opened a new horizon and we are proud of this achievement.”
How can I watch?
You can watch the full launch here: https://www.emiratesmarsmission.ae/live/. History will also be made during the countdown of the launch, as it will be done in Arabic.
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Feature Image: WAM
