'Hope Probe' team works round-the-clock ahead of historic launch

WAM

As the countdown to the 'Hope Probe' launch begins, a team of young Emirati engineers are working round-the-clock to put the final touches to the UAE’s ambitious Mars Mission.

With a smaller team on site at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre, due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the engineers have had to multitask to ensure all systems are ready for the launch on July 15.

They will carry out safety and technical checks of the probe and the rocket launcher, and check the preparedness of the ground station.

The team is also closely monitoring the weather conditions at Tanegashima island, which is forecast to be rainy in the days leading to the launch.

According to the team, the launch window for the Hope Probe will run between July 15 and August 3 based on scientific calculations of the Earth and Mars orbits.

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