Dubai Ruler and Crown Prince witness completion of UAE's Mars probe

The final piece of the Hope Probe was fitted on Tuesday ahead of its launch to space in July

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, witness the installation of the final piece of the Hope Probe which will be launched to Mars in Jul. All photos by Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's image is reflected on the last component of the Hope Probe that contains the signatures of UAE rulers and crown princes.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was ceremonially handed the last component of the Hope Probe during an event held to mark its installation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid looks at the Hope Probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

Hope Probe is a testament to the capabilities of the youth of the UAE. The project, which represents a historic achievement for the nation, also sends a message of hope to youth in the Arab world.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed pose for a photograph with the Emirati Hope Probe team.

The Hope Probe, built at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai, is due to be launched into space in July.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by the Hope Probe team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters about the final technical and logistical preparations and testing procedures ahead of the Hope Probe’s launch in July.

Project officials explained the roles of the six key sub-teams working on the Hope Probe project.

Project officials explained the roles of the six key sub-teams working on the Hope Probe project.

Project officials explained the roles of the six key sub-teams working on the Hope Probe project.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed listens on the final preparations for the Hope Probe ahead of its launch to Mars in July.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed are briefed on the final preparations for the Hope Probe ahead of its launch to Mars in July.

The UAE’s first Mars orbiter is ready for its landmark launch, after the final outer body piece was fitted on Tuesday in the presence of members of Dubai’s royal family.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, witnessed the installation at of the last piece of the probe, called Hope, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

A total of 150 Emirati engineers, researchers and scientists have been working on the Emirates Mars Mission since it launched in 2014.

The Hope Probe is being prepared for launch to Mars, taking with it the message of an Emirati homeland, the hope of a nation, and the aspirations of Arab and Islamic peoples for a bright future

Bearing the UAE’s new nation brand logo, the spacecraft was brought to the UAE from the US, where it was built by Emiratis in collaboration with three American varsities.

It will soon be shipped off to Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre for its lift-off during a narrow launch window of July 14 to August 3.

During their visit to the space centre, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan were briefed on the final technical and logistical preparations ahead of the probe’s launch.

“Our country is a pioneer in writing history and making achievements, and we will gift the world a wealth of space science and knowledge. The Hope Probe is being prepared for launch to Mars, taking with it the message of an Emirati homeland, the hope of a nation, and the aspirations of Arab and Islamic peoples for a bright future,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Tuesday.

“The Hope Probe represents the Emirati family and Emirati society through the cohesion of its members and the collective of its performance and the excellence of its skills and its love for the homeland."

“Our message to the world is a message of peace and hope for a prosperous and sustainable future in which science and knowledge are a book open to peoples.”

Hope is also inscribed with the phrase “the power of hope shortens the distance between the Earth and sky”.

The spacecraft will be launched using Japan’s H-IIA rocket and will reach the red planet by 2021, coinciding with UAE’s 50th anniversary.

The UAE's mission to Mars, the Hope Probe.

“The exploration of Mars has become a reality thanks to the will of a group of young Emiratis who have devoted their time and effort to serving humanity and have become a source of pride and hope for the Arab and Islamic nations," Sheikh Hamdan said.

“Mars is no longer impossible, as we are a people who do not know the word impossible in our dictionary.”

The UAE is the first Arab country attempting to go beyond Earth’s orbit and studying other planets.

If successfully placed on the desired Martian orbit, Hope will study the atmosphere and what caused the planet to die.