The attraction's visitor numbers in 2024 are set to surpass last year’s record figures
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 1, 2020
It is also a testament to the UAE's determination to overcome the impossible. Despite all the challenges arising from the global Covid-19 crisis, the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) remained on track.
"The Hope Probe embodies the culture of possibilities deeply rooted in the UAE's approach, philosophy and journey of accelerating development since the foundation," Sheikh Mohammed said, as he reviewed the final preparations for the probe's launch.
- HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 1, 2020
He met the team behind the mission, and hailed all the hard work of Emirati engineers. This achievement, the UAE Vice-President said, is not only for the Emirates but for every Arab in the world.
"Our journey to space represents a message of hope to every Arab citizen that we have the innovation, resilience and efforts to compete with the greatest of nations in the race for knowledge."
During his meeting with the EMM team in the UAE, he was briefed on the last stages of pre-launch preparations. Omran Sharaf, project director of the mission, explained the different tasks assigned to the team leading testing operations.
The Dubai-based space mission's control team are coordinating efforts from the MBRSC with the launch team in Japan who will soon be joined by Emirati engineers and experts to manage and oversee the launch.
The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The Dubai Crown Prince hailed the young Emiratis and experts who have been instrumental in accomplishing the grand mission.
"Hope Probe highlights our national treasure of hundreds of young Emirati engineers and experts working on the mission. These young people are part of drafting a beautiful chapter in the UAE's future."
He added: "Despite challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we remained committed to our plans to meet the launch schedule of the historic space mission, in efforts have truly reflected the UAE's slogan that the impossible is possible.
"The Hope Probe represents a message of hope and optimism to mankind. Our space mission is aimed at serving humanity."
Preparing for launch amid Covid-19
Even in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in April, the EMM team successfully transported Hope Probe from Dubai to Tanegashima Island in Japan. The entire journey took 83 long hours divided into three major stages.
The transfer of the probe from the MBRSC to Al Maktoum airport alone took 12 hours and a special truck had to be used. Then, the world's largest cargo plane flew it from Dubai to Japan on an 11-hour journey.
When it arrived at Nagoya Airport, the probe was transported over land and sea for more than 44 hours. After reaching the port on Tanegashima island, the team worked to unload and check the probe before starting to prepare for the launch.
The attraction's visitor numbers in 2024 are set to surpass last year’s record figures
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