UAE leaders praise team behind Hope probe launch

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hosts ceremony for launch team at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi

From left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, at a special welcoming ceremony for the Hope probe team.

A celebration of the UAE’s successful launch of its first Mars satellite was hosted by the nation’s leaders to mark the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

A welcome ceremony at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi was hosted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to mark the achievements of those involved in the launch.

The UAE made history on July 20, as it launched its first interplanetary mission to Mars in efforts to study the dynamic weather conditions of the planet.

The team behind the project was invited to the palace and were honoured by Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

"Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, this is all thanks to you. After the blessing of Allah, Sheikh Khalifa is very pleased," Sheikh Mohamed said, while addressing the Mars mission team.

"We are very proud of you. Many of you may not know the team behind the Hope probe, so I would like you to take off your masks, please. What I’ll ask you to do now is to raise your hands so that people can see we are investing in the people of UAE, who make us proud in every place.

"The late Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, said the true investment is in our children. Because it is the only investment that places the UAE among the developed countries. He was betting on you."

More than 150 Emirati engineers, scientists and researchers worked on the project since its inception six years ago.

The team faced several challenges which they overcame, including carrying out the mission during the Covid-19 pandemic and two delays caused by the unstable weather conditions at the launch site in Japan's Tanegashima island.

The Hope probe took off at 1.58am and became a landmark event in space exploration.

Leaders of the nation praised the work of the UAE Space Agency in a message on social media, stating “the sons of the nation are the most important achievements of this country.”

On its 500 million kilometre journey, the Hope probe will collect information about the Martian atmosphere and should enter the Red Planet's orbit in February, more than 200 days after leaving Earth.

It is due to arrive to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the formation of the UAE in its golden jubilee year.

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  The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP

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  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

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  The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter

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  Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP

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  A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  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

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  Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP

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  Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre

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  The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre.

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  Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre

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  A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  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

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  A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services

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  Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP

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  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

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  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

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  The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services