UAE Mars Mission: how to watch the historic launch live
Viewers from around the world are expected to tune into the live stream of the first Arab mission to Mars on July 15
July 12, 2020
Updated: July 13, 2020
The UAE is close to achieving another historic feat as it prepares to launch its Hope spacecraft for a mission to Mars.
Millions of people around the world tuned in online when Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, the nation’s first Emirati astronaut, blasted off into space last year.
Now, all eyes are on the Emirates Mars Mission, which is the first Arab mission to go to the Red Planet.
People can watch the live stream on the official mission website.
Mission to Mars
The launch is taking place at 12.51am (UAE time) on Wednesday. However, coverage will start before that.
The live stream is available in English and Arabic, and has options for with or without commentary.
The mission remains on schedule and several weather checks will be carried out in advance to ensure a smooth lift off.
Latest updates show the probe, which is now inside the payload fairing, is in the process of being mounted on top of the rocket.
The rocket will be rolled out to the launch pad soon in a 30 to 40-minute-long operation to protect it and the craft from possible damage.
Sarah Al Amiri, president of the UAE Space Agency and deputy project manager of the mission, confirmed that all systems were "go" for the launch on Wednesday midnight.
“The spacecraft is ready for launch and all of the systems are now at a level that is ready to be launched,” she said.
“We also checked the ground segment and the operations in mission control and they are ready to accept the spacecraft after launch.
“The final checks are currently ongoing on both the launch vehicle and mission control. We are ready to launch as scheduled early in the morning on July 15.”
Updated: July 13, 2020 06:59 PM
