Hope Probe: Arab Ambition To Reach Mars
Faizan Hashmi Published July 02, 2020 | 11:00 PM
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Jul, 2020) There are only a few days left before the launch of the Hope Probe, a historic mission to Mars, in implementation of an ambitious vision that began six years ago, when the UAE’s leadership announced the first Arab and Islamic probe to travel to the red planet.
The project is part of the UAE’s efforts to establish a sustainable knowledge-based economy and reinforce its position in the areas of space science and exploration.
The officials who participated in a media briefing on the probe, which was held today via video conferencing, stated that the project reflects the ambition of the UAE and the ongoing efforts of its leadership to defy the impossible and establish a culture of possibilities within the country’s identity.
The project aims to achieve a milestone in the areas of engineering, scientific research and innovation in the country, and is an Emirati contribution to shaping a promising future for mankind, they added.
Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said, "We are witnessing a historic era, not only in the UAE but also in the entire Arab region, through the launch of the first Arab and Islamic probe to the planet, Mars."
He also pointed out that the Emirates Mars Mission project plays a key role in giving hope to the youth of the Arab region, and aims to inspire future generations and encourage them to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Al Ahbabi then noted that despite the current challenges facing the entire world, the launch of the probe within schedule is an achievement, stressing that the project represents a milestone in the UAE’s excellence and leadership in the space sector.
He further added that the UAE has the largest space sector in the region, noting that the project and the country’s space programmes have motivated the youth to study science and increased demand for space programme courses in higher education.
In his statement to the Emirates news Agency, WAM, Al Ahbabi further said that the national space sector currently comprises 10 orbital satellites and eight new satellites under development, explaining that investments in the sector total US$6 billion (AED22 billion).
Omran Sharaf. Project Manager of Emirates Mars Mission, said that the probe is being subjected to detailed maintenance before its launch since its successful arrival at the space station in Tanegashima Island, Japan, which includes filling its fuel tank for the first time with around 700 kilogrammes of fuel, checking for leaks, testing communication and control equipment, moving the probe to the launch pad, installing the probe on the rocket that will carry it to space, and charging its batteries for the last time.
"We are currently in the project’s final preparatory phase. We have filled its fuel tank, and tests will continue until the launch date."
He also pointed out that, due to the support of the UAE’s leadership, the probe’s maintenance team overcame the challenges facing the project until it reached Japan, in line with the precautionary measures to counter the current health crisis, adding that three teams are maintaining the probe.
"The first team arrived in Japan on 6th April, 2020, and were quarantined before working on the probe while the second team arrived on 21st April, 2020, and its members are now at the space station after completing their 14-day quarantine. The third team, which is the reserve team, is currently in the UAE, and its members are ready to offer support if needed," Sharaf said.
The date, 15th July, 2020, at 00:51:27 UAE time, has been set for the launch of the probe.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, is managing all phases of the probe’s design, implementation and dispatch to space while the agency, the Federal authority in charge of the UAE’s space sector, is supervising its financing and administration.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago