UAE has made history as the #FirstArabicCountdown launched its Hope orbiter to space.

"Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.42 carrying UAE's Mars probe "HOPE" at 6:58:14 on July. 20, 2020 JST from the Tanegashima Space Centre," the rocket launch operator said.


Soon after its successful liftoff, there were tears of joy, with people beaming and clapping at Dubai's ground control room.

Latest updates from the historic launch:

3:14am - UAE's Hope probe transmits its first signal from space orbit

The UAE's Hope probe has transmitted its first signal from space. This came after the spacecraft's solar panels were deployed to charge its batteries following its separation from the launch vehicle.

3:05am - Solar panels on Hope probe deployed to charge its batteries

The solar panels of the Hope Probe have been deployed. These panels will charge the batteries of the spacecraft for its 495,000,000km journey to Mars.

2:59am - UAE's Hope probe separates from rocket, moves into space orbit

The UAE's Hope probe to Mars has separated from its launch vehicle, its launch operator Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Launch Services has confirmed.

2:31am - Rocket carrying UAE's Mars probe 'on course'

Five minutes after launch, the rocket carrying the probe was on course, carrying out the first separation of its flight.

"Second stage rotation complete. In a few minutes, the launch vehicle will enter into Earth's shadow," the Hope Mars Mission team tweeted.

2: 11am - Video: Hope probe soars off to space

Here is a video of the launch that took the Hope probe to space. The H-IIA rocket carrying the 1.3-tonne probe took off at exactly 1.58am.

1: 57am:

Live from the MBRSC in Al Khwaneej with less than 1 hours to go for the historic launch

1: 54am: It is 4 minutes and 40 seconds before liftoff. The automatic countdown sequence has started.

1: 51am - #FirstArabicCountdown in minutes, can you hear it?

The weather is perfect, the Hope probe launch has received its final 'Go' command and the launch teams are all set for a smooth liftoff.

The Arab world is waiting with bated breath to hear the #FirstArabicCountdown that will launch Hope to space. Stay tuned to hear the historic countdown that will launch the Arab world's first interplanetary mission.

1: 38am - All systems 'Go' for Hope launch: Minutes left for #FirstArabicCountdown

The Hope probe launch team has received its final 'Go' command for the launch. "In 20 minutes, the first Arab interplanetary mission will launch on its epic journey to Mars. This is History in the making," the Hope Mars Mission team tweeted.