UAE leaders are sharing their support for the country's historic mission to Mars with millions of people across the globe.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, changed his Twitter profile picture to that of a close-up of Mars, etched with the date of the Hope probe's planned arrival into the planet's orbit, February 9, and the inspiring words "Arabs to Mars".
Sheikh Mohammed has 10.5 million followers on the social media platform.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has also adopted the same picture profile on his personal account, which boasts 4.1 million followers.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, who has 4.2 million Twitter followers, followed suit to deliver a unified message of Emirati pride as the nation's space sector prepares to take a huge stride forward.
Anticipation is gathering pace for the day of destiny for an ambitious project years in the making.
Landmarks across the Emirates – including Dubai Frame, the emirate's Museum of the Future, Dubai Canal and Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah – will be lit up in red each night in dazzling tribute to the Arab world's maiden journey to Mars.
The Hope probe will attempt to enter the Red Planet’s orbit at 7.42pm on Tuesday, February 9.
While the mission has gone smoothly since its launch on July 20 last year, the most challenging part of the journey is fast approaching.
Only 50 per cent of Mars missions succeed, with orbit insertion being one of the most complex stages.
It requires the spacecraft to decelerate incredibly quickly to be captured by the planet’s gravity. Because of an 11-minute communication delay between mission control and the orbiter, Hope will carry out the process autonomously.
UAE's journey to Mars:
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The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP -
It will take the spacecraft, which later detached from the rocket, about 200 days to reach the Red Planet, arriving in February 2021. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter -
Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
An Emirati man wipes a tear away with his face mask while watching the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP -
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre -
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre. -
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre -
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
Solid rocket booster (SRB-A) was separated after burnout during the launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, are recorded by cameras onboard the rocket after the lauch from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS -
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services -
Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
Sarah Al Ameeri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences of United Arab Emirates, celebrates with Naohiko Abe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Senior Vice President, Head of Integrated Defence and Space Systems, after the successful launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, at Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS -
Emiratis are pictured at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai ahead of the expected launch of the "Hope" Mars probe from Japan. AFP -
The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office -
Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services
