UAE confident of Mars probe success in 2021, says Sheikh Hamdan

The UAE is “confident” that it can complete its Hope Probe Mars mission next year, according to Dubai Crown Prince and chairman of the Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Hamdan conducted a video conference meeting with the Hope Probe team at the Tenegashima Space Centre in Japan, where the probe was transported after 83 days of work.

“You lead the future and you represent the UAE’s hope in the emerging phase,” he told the team. “You must transfer your knowledge to other sectors in the country because sharing knowledge and success stories are the heart of this project.”

“We are confident that we can accomplish this mission,” he added. “In 2021 we will celebrate the success of our mission to Mars along with the 50th anniversary of our Union.”

The transfer of the probe to Japan was completed in three separate phases. In the first, the probe was transported over a 12 hour between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport. Team members used a purpose-built shipping container during this phase to transport the probe and protect it in transit.

In the second stage, the probe was flown to Nagoya Airport in Japan over 11 hours, during which time the team had to monitor the intensity of air bumps to prevent the probe’s structure from being damaged by severe vibrations.

In the last phase, the probe was transported to the launch phase on Tenagashima Island by sea, where it was unloaded ahead of launch preparations.