The final experiments on the "Probe of Hope" began according to the approved schedule in preparation for its launch on the scheduled date, July 15, from the Tanegashima Space Center.
A team of young Emirati cadres lead the launch of the "Hope Probe" launch, including final tests and pre-launch tests at the space station in Japan.
The tests include final checks of the spacecraft's functions, which include the power system, communication system, navigation system, control system, propulsion and driving system, thermal system and software systems.
Since its successful arrival at the space station on Tanegashima Island last April, the "Hope Probe" has undergone high-precision launch operations, which take 50 working days, and include filling the fuel tank for the first time with about 800 kilograms of hydrogen fuel, checking the fuel tank, and ensuring that there are no Any leaks, in addition to testing communication and control devices, moving the probe to the launch pad, installing the probe on the missile that will carry it into space, and charging the probe batteries for the last time.
The equipment and testing team is led by the "Hope Probe" team, which is composed of young Emirati cadres, in cooperation with the strategic and scientific partners of the Emirates Mars Project.
The UAE team currently in the Japanese launch station is composed of Ahmed Al-Yamahi, Mahmoud Al-Awadi and Mohammed Al-Amri, who are mechanical systems engineers responsible for lifting the probe on the launch missile, and Isa Al-Muhairi, who is responsible for charging the probe batteries, monitoring and monitoring the spacecraft, and Youssef Al-Shehhi, He is responsible for tightening the closure of the multi-layer insulator of the «MLI» fuel tank and the power supply plug, in addition to Omar Al Shehhi, who is the leader of the probe preparation team for launch, and he tests and monitors the effectiveness and performance of the probe, and with him in the same task, Khalifa Al Muhairi, responsible for monitoring, monitoring and ensuring safety The probe.
And affirming that the plans for launching the "Probe of Hope" are proceeding accurately according to the approved timetable, thanks to the tireless work and continuous efforts of the team in partnership and cooperation with strategic and scientific partners for the historic mission to explore Mars, since the days of completion of shipments of the main part of the H-Launch vehicle IIA «H2A» from the Toshibima Space Systems Factory in Nagoya Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, to the launch station at Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The high-quality Toshibima plant contributes to the exceptional successful launch by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the strategic partner entrusted with the launch of the "Hope Probe" within the Emirates Mars Exploration Project.
On July 15, the date for the launch of the "Probe of Hope" had been set, and it is the first day within the "launch window" for this historic space mission. The window extends from 15 July to 3 August next, knowing that setting the date of the "launch window" is subject to accurate scientific calculations related to the movement of the orbits of both the Earth and Mars, ensuring that the probe reaches its planned orbit around Mars in the shortest possible time, and with the lowest possible energy.
The "launch window" period extends for several days in anticipation of climatic conditions, orbit movement, and others.
Later on, preparations for placing the probe on the launch vehicle will begin, marking the imminent launch of its historic space mission.
Technically, with the launch process, the first stage begins, as the solid fuel impeller raises the missile after separating from the launch platform, and then this part automatically separates after completing its mission, with the effect of gravity and the start of the missile's departure away from the Earth's orbit, and with the separation of this part the weight decreases The missile that carries the probe to begin the period of zero gravity, to separate the second part of the launch missile, then begin the second stage, until the "probe of hope" reaches its correct orbit around Mars, loaded on the third part of the launch missile.
The H-IIA H2A launch vehicle, the missile that will carry the "Hope Probe" into space on its journey to explore the Red Planet, weighs 289 tons, while its length is 53 meters.
The "Probe of Hope" is expected to reach the orbit of Mars in February 2021, in conjunction with the country's celebrations of its golden jubilee.
The Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, Chairman of the Emirates Space Agency, Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Hamid Balhoul Al Falasi, said that «the start of tests, exams and final experiments, days before the launch of the probe of hope in its historical mission according to the predetermined schedule, confirms that the plans to complete a project The Emirates for Mars exploration is proceeding with precision thanks to the unlimited support of the state leadership and the efforts and dedication of the work team, which proves, day after day, that it is up to the responsibility assigned to complete this national mission in the optimal way. ”
He added that «the challenges overcome by the probe team, which includes a group of Emirati experts and engineers, in order to reach this stage of achievement, confirms that the emblem of the Emirates (nothing is impossible) that the probe will carry with Mars, has become a general culture, and a usual practice Among the young women and men of this dear homeland, it has become a living reality. The team has already overcome the impossible, and has completed this historic project. ”
He stressed that the "Probe of Hope" embodies the UAE's ambitions and positive message to the region and the world with the importance of continuing to work with passion and confronting the circumstances, changes and challenges with determination to find solutions aimed at the welfare of people and humanity.
He explained that the team will continue its tireless efforts to successfully complete the mission, despite its difficulty, and the challenges we may face, and we will all celebrate the arrival of the probe to Mars in February 2021, in conjunction with the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
For his part, Deputy Director of the Emirates Project for Exploration of Mars, "Probe of Hope", responsible for the development of the spacecraft, Suhail Al Dhafri, said that the final checks, which are currently being conducted, are important steps to ensure that all systems work and meet the requirements before they are operational.
He added that the information obtained by the working group from conducting checks and final tests is very important to ensure the readiness of the probe and spacecraft before the actual launch at the specified time within the launch window.
Staff
The team overseeing the preparations for the “Probe of Hope” for launch includes a group of young national talents, they are the director of the Emirates Project for the Exploration of Mars “Probe of Hope”, Imran Sharaf Al Hashemi, the deputy project manager for the probe development, Suhail Al Dhafari Al Muhairi, and the leader of the probe preparation team for launch Omar Al-Shehhi, Probe Systems Engineer and Risk Management Officer, Mohsen Al-Awadi, Thermal Systems Engineer, Youssef Al-Shehhi, Communication Systems Engineer, Khalifa Al-Muhairi, Energy Systems Engineer, Issa Al-Muhairi, Mechanical Systems Engineer, Ahmed Al-Yamahi, and Mechanical Systems Engineer, Mahmoud Al-Awadi, and Engineer Ground support systems, Muhammad al-Amiri.
The plans for launching the "Probe of Hope" to explore Mars are proceeding according to schedule.
The launch missile that will carry the "Hope Probe" to Mars weighs 289 tons and is 53 meters long.