Final checks on Hope Probe being done by Emirati team

UAE - A team of Emiratis is leading the operation and supervising every aspect of the Hope Probe's preparation for its launch.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team working on the mission was divided into three sub-teams - considering the challenges on transportation, travel, logistics and adhering to the health procedures. While the first set of team members reached Japan on April 6 and underwent the mandatory quarantine and health checks, the second team arrived on April 21. The third team is still in the UAE, offering the necessary back-up support to the mission.

The team includes Omran Sharaf Al Hashemi, project director of Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) Hope Probe; Suhail Al Dhafari Al Muhairi, deputy project manager of the probe development team; Omar Al Shehhi, launch team lead; Mohsen Al Awadhi, risk manager; Youssef Al Shehhi, thermal systems engineer; Khalifa Al Muhairi, communication systems engineer, Issa Al Muhairi, power systems engineer; Ahmed Al Yamahi, mechanical systems engineer; Mahmoud Al Awadhi, mechanical systems engineer; and, Mohammed Al Amri, ground support systems engineer.

The transportation of the Hope Probe from Dubai to the launch site on Tanegashima Island in Japan took more than 83 hours and underwent three major stages.

Final check is on

The final checks and tests on the probe are currently underway as it prepares for its voyage to the orbit of the Red Planet. It is scheduled for launch on Wednesday at 12.51am from Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) in Japan.

The final checks are being led by Ahmed Al Yammahi, Mahmood Al Awadhi, Mohammed Al Amri who are responsible for mechanical operations including lift onto the rocket; Essa Al Mehairi, mandated with the responsibility of battery charging and spacecraft monitoring; Yousuf Al Shehhi entrusted with MLI closing; Omar Al Shehhi responsible for aliveness test and spacecraft monitoring; and Khalifa Al Mehairi who has the responsibility of spacecraft monitoring.

"The commencement of the final checks and tests on the Hope Probe in line with our schedule reiterates our commitment and detailed planning process to ensure the success of this Mission," said Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and the chairman of the UAE Space Agency.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul reiterated that the Hope Probe is representative of the ambitions of the UAE and its positive message of hope to the region and the world. "We are confident of the Hope probe reaching the Mars orbit in February 2021, coinciding with the UAE's Golden Jubilee celebrations," he said.

Suhail AlDhafri, EMM deputy project manager and spacecraft lead said: "The final checks are important steps to ensure that all systems are functioning and meeting the requirements before the fueling. Getting these parameters are vital prior to getting the Probe ready for the liftoff as per our launch window."