It’s just a matter of days until the UAE’s Hope Probe launches into space, which will aim to closely study the atmosphere of Mars.
What is the Hope Probe?
At the beginning of this year HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, signed the remaining outer piece for the probe which will launch into space.
The probe is being spearheaded by the UAE in order to gain a full picture on what the atmosphere of Mars is like. Once the probe reaches the planet some time in 2021, data will be collected over a two-year period, but this could be extended by another two years meaning the Hope Probe has the potential to be in space until 2025.
Hope is more than just a word. Hope has become a probe that carries with it our ambitions for Mars and beyond. #HopeMarsMission pic.twitter.com/0UW3mGKARV
— Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) July 12, 2020
Speaking ahead of the launch of the probe, Emirati engineer Hamad Al Hazmi explained to Gulf News the Mars Mission has opened a “new horizon” for the United Arab Emirates.
“No one would have thought that an Arab or Islamic country would reach this level,” he said. “The UAE has opened a new horizon and we are proud of this achievement.”
When does the Hope Probe launch?
The Hope Probe will launch into space on Wednesday, July 15.
How can I watch?
You can watch the full launch here: https://www.emiratesmarsmission.ae/live/. History will also be made during the countdown of the launch, as it will be done in Arabic.