Terminal countdown for UAE's Hope probe launch begins

Dubai - These checks entail assessing the operational conditions of the launch vehicle, satellites, tracking and control systems.

With under nine hours left for its scheduled liftoff time, the terminal countdown operation for the UAE's Hope probe launch has begun at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. A terminal countdown is a simulation of the final hours of a launch countdown.

Final checks have been carried out on the H-IIA F42 rocket that will carry the Hope probe to space. These checks entail assessing the operational conditions of the launch vehicle, satellites, tracking and control systems, as well as weather conditions.

The launch operator, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), said the team has got a go-ahead for loading the propellants such as liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the launch vehicle. This is the second 'Go' decision the team has got for the mission. The first 'Go' decision led to the rocket being rolled out to the launch pad after a weather assessment.

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 world's largest sliding door of the Vehicle Assembly Building opened and the launch vehicle was carried to the launch pad," MHI Launch Services tweeted.

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

sahim@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE