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There will be no delays in the launch of UAE’s Mars orbiter from Japan, despite the coronavirus outbreak worldwide.
As reported by The National, The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has not changed the launch date, and the Hope Probe will still leave Earth from the Tanegashima Space Centre mid-July.
The period between July 14 and August 3 remains crucial since this is the time when Earth and Mars align favourably for such missions. This is why other countries such as China and the US also have similar missions slated in the same month.
If space centres are unable to utilise this time frame, a wait of 26 months will be on the cards for another similar opportunity, delaying UAE’s plan to reach Mars by the country’s anniversary.
“For the moment we think the impact on our operations will be minimal but will continue to monitor the situation. We are working hard to prepare for this important launch.” Said Dan Lochmann, the global marketing communications director for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This company is responsible behind the H-IIA rocket that Hope will lift off from.
The Hope Probe has been built by 150 Emirati engineers, scientists and researchers, and marks UAE’s first interplanetary mission. If the UAE is successful, it will pride itself in becoming the first Arab country to do so.