Dubai - After foul weather in Japan delayed its scheduled liftoff time twice, the UAE's mission to Mars is set to launch on July 20, 2020.
Published: Sat 18 Jul 2020, 6:00 PM
Last updated: Sun 19 Jul 2020, 7:22 PM
The UAE Hope probe's highly-anticipated launch to Mars will inspire the next generation to make the impossible, possible, the UAE's Vice-President has said.
This came as the country's leaders reviewed the probe's pre-flight preparations ahead of its historic launch scheduled for the early hours of Monday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), interacted with the Emirates Mars Mission team in a special video call on Saturday.
The 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 listened in as the leaders talked about their pride in the mission that will see the Arab world's first interplanetary mission take off for the Red Planet.
"A video of the leaders' interaction with the teams shows a beaming Sheikh Mohammed addressing the launch team. "In 1976, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met Nasa experts because space was his ambition. Today, you are making his dream come true. The young capacities and engineers who have learned and reached this stage today is what the whole project is about."
'Greatest achievement yet'
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the UAE led by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, "is about to embark on its greatest achievement yet".
"The Hope probe was made possible by the efforts of our creative and dedicated youth, who remain our most significant investment," he said. "We are certain that we will live up to the trust and confidence of our ancestors who established this home for us and granted us stability, prosperity and bright future."
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince credited the "young talents" to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's "efforts and determination".
"This historic event would not have been possible without the devotion, determination and persistence of my brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to make this day a milestone in our lives and in the journey of our nation. You were the main factor behind this event. On behalf of every Emirati, I thank my brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for making this possible."
Hailing the fact that the mission was "crafted by Emirati hands", Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed added: "It brings great honour to me and the people of UAE - citizens and residents. I am sure that the heart of every Emirati is with us today."
Celebrating the 1st transmission
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said he looks forward to "celebrating the first transmission from the Hope probe".
"The Mars data gathered by the probe will be a scientific discovery dedicated for the benefit of humanity. This achievement is from the UAE's Mars mission team to the rest of the Arab world. It's an invitation from the UAE to the Arab youth and scientists to join us for new scientific achievements. We have entered the space era and more missions await us. We need all the innovative Arab minds on board," Sheikh Hamdan said.
After foul weather in Japan delayed its scheduled liftoff time twice, the UAE's mission to Mars is set to launch on July 20, 2020, at 1.58am UAE time.
sahim@khaleejtimes.com
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