Rocket with UAE's Mars probe rolled out to launch pad

With hours left for the UAE's historic mission to Mars to take off, the rocket that will carry the Hope probe to space has arrived at its launch pad at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre.

"H-IIA F42 has arrived at the launch pad. The launch vehicle is going to be connected to the pad facilities," its operator Mitsubishi Heavy Industries tweeted on Sunday.

H-IIA????42????????????????????????????????????? H-IIA F42 has arrived at the launch pad. The launch vehicle is going to be connected to the pad facilities. #H2AF42

- MHI Launch Services (@MHI_LS) July 19, 2020

The rocket mounted on a mobile launcher carrying its precious cargo was moved 500 metres from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad in a process that took about 30 minutes.

The decision for the launch vehicle roll-out came after a weather assessment.

After being delayed twice due to foul weather in Japan, the probe is scheduled to take off at 1.58am on Monday.

An Emirati launch team in Japan and 21 engineers from the UAE Space Agency and MBRSC stationed at the mission control room in Dubai's Al Khawaneej are overseeing the launch process.

They got some much needed motivation as the UAE leaders called in on Saturday to review the probe's pre-flight preparations.

The Arab world's first interplanetary mission will see the Hope probe travel 495 million km with a cruise speed of 121,000km/hr to reach the Red Planet in February next year. It will provide the first truly global picture of the Martian atmosphere.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com

Getting ready for a historical journey. @HopeMarsMission pic.twitter.com/TAxT22cpzb

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 19, 2020