The UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have successfully transferred the Hope probe to its launch site in Japan, despite the challenges presented by Covid-19.
Despite global flight suspensions & health precautions, our engineers are working according to schedule to complete the region’s top space science project. The probe was developed in 6 years, less than the usual global period of 10, and at half the cost. We aim to launch in July pic.twitter.com/eW3CAk6GGS
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 25, 2020
The probe which is the first Arab space project that will explore other planets carries its namesake well. It reached its destination of Tanegashima Island in Japan, symbolically embodying the UAE’s continuous pursuit of challenging and overcoming the impossible.
وكالة #الإمارات للفضاء ومركز محمد بن راشد للفضاء ينجزان عمليات نقل "مسبار الأمل" بنجاح إلى موقع انطلاقه إلى الفضاء من المحطة الفضائية بجزيرة تانيغاشيما في اليابان، وذلك تنفيذاً للمخطط له ضمن مشروع الإمارات لاستكشاف المريخ.https://t.co/DYXwyQLNi0 pic.twitter.com/BHb0gMlnCf
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 26, 2020
Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Hamid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency confirmed that the UAE will continue to move forward with the Emirates Mars Mission, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “We would like to take this opportunity to extend our highest gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership of the UAE for their continuous and unlimited support on this project to explore Mars and the national team of young women and men dedicated to this project.”
Sara Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, Deputy Project Manager of EMM, pointed out that the Emirates Mars Mission is a crucial part of the UAE’s accelerated developmental journey to further establish itself as a leader in space science and exploration.
She added: “Today, we must celebrate the scientific achievement of our engineers, scientists and technicians. This milestone will become an integral part of the UAE’s history that we collectively take pride in. This project will become the largest scientific addition to the Arab World’s notable achievements in the space and sciences industry.”
A video showing the fascinating 83-hour mission to move the probe was released by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
https://twitter.com/HHShkMohd/status/1254075367364734978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1254075367364734978&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.khaleejtimes.com%2Fuae%2Fdubai%2Fuaes-mars-hope-probe-on-its-way-amid-covid-19-pandemic–
Now that the project has reached this phase successfully the Hope probe’s mission to Mars will start mid-July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Center using the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI H2A) platform. It is expected to reach the Red Planet’s orbit in the first quarter (February) of the year 2021.
Watch this ‘space’.
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