A video meeting took place between leaders of the UAE and the Emirati launch team of the Hope Probe in Japan and 21 engineers, prior to its rescheduled launch on 20 July. The video meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai along with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC).
During the meeting, where the leaders reviewed final pre-flight preparations of the Hope Probe and were briefed on the range of technical tasks overseen by the space mission’s team, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, "In 1976, the late Sheikh Zayed met NASA experts because space was his ambition. Today, you are making his dream come true."
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed regards to the team in Japan from the His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and said, "We are certain that we will live up to the trust and confidence of our ancestors who established this home for us and granted us stability, prosperity and bright future."
The Hope Probe was due to take off on 15 July but due to unfavourable weather conditions the launch was initially rescheduled to 17 July and now will take on 20 July at 1.58am UAE time, from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre.
The launch can be seen live on a dedicated Emirates Mars Mission website here.