The Emirates Mars Exploration Project (Hope Probe) achieved a new achievement this week, after the probe was successfully inserted into the launch capsule, and made sure to install its mechanical structure to the base designated for this purpose inside the capsule, and then successfully placed the capsule on top of the launch missile, in preparation for taking off from the Tanegashima space base in Japan in The deadline, according to the plan approved on July 15, 2020. All final tests and reviews are being conducted prior to the launch, to ensure that the probe is ready for the historical mission.
Before placing the probe in the capsule, the process of covering it with a thermosphere was completed, to protect it from the topography and atmosphere of the space and sharp temperature changes between the high and low during the entire flight.
This was followed by joint operations with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in addition to charging the spacecraft batteries, preparing the missile for takeoff, as well as operating the probe to ensure its availability, and continuing the preparation of the probe for launch, including pre-launch tests, and these tests include conducting final checks of the vehicle's functions The space, which includes the power system, communication system, navigation system, control system, propulsion and driving system, thermal system and software systems.
After that, the launch capsule containing the probe was successfully transported and placed on top of the missile that will be launched into space (launch vehicle), marking the imminent launch of this historic space mission. This process involved transferring the capsule to another building where the missile and launch pad are located, subjected to comprehensive control of surface points, to ensure that they are in good condition, and then securely enclose the multi-layer insulators and safety seals.
About one hour after launch, the probe separates from the launching rocket. The probe launches solar panels and begins the seven-month journey toward the Red Planet using a propulsion system in the probe.
The weight of the H2A launch vehicle, that is, the missile that will carry the "Hope Probe" into space on its journey to explore the Red Planet, is 289 tons, while its length is 53 meters.
And the team of the Emirates project to explore Mars, which is composed of young Emirati cadres, supervised the process of placing the probe inside the launch capsule, in cooperation with its Japanese counterpart.
The position of the probe in the launch capsule, and then fixing the capsule on top of the launch missile, are two major stations within the Emirates project to explore Mars, in preparation for the launch of the probe on its journey into the orbit of the red planet.
The team will continue to conduct reviews and tests before the final countdown, which begins 16 hours before take off.
The Minister of State for Advanced Technology, Leader of the Scientific Team of the Emirates Mars Exploration Project, “Probe of Hope”, Sarah Bint Youssef Al-Amiri: “The final preparations and tests run before the launch of the Probe of Hope, in the first Arab and Islamic mission to explore Mars, according to the previously approved schedule, and the team finished Which includes young Emirati cadres, who are currently in the launch center in Japan, from the completion of two important stages of the project, after its success in placing the probe inside the launch capsule, then placing the capsule on top of the missile that will carry it into space, in conjunction with ensuring the safety and efficiency of propulsion systems , The energy system, and special communication devices that were developed with the highest degree of skill during the past years, to reach this stage in the course of this project ».
She emphasized that the Emirates project to explore Mars (probe of hope) serves humankind in general and the scientific community in particular, and puts the information that he will collect through his research on the Red Planet - after reaching its orbit - without charge within the reach of more than 200 scientific institutions and research centers around the world.
"The position of the probe in the launch capsule successfully, and its installation on the missile, is one of the main milestones in preparing for the launch and the start of the countdown to take off," said the director of the Emirates Project for Exploring Mars, the "Probe of Hope". This complex process includes technical assessments, most notably checking systems, and examining all aspects of the spacecraft.
He added: "The successful completion of this stage is an important step in the Emirates project to explore Mars, in cooperation with the strategic and scientific partners of the project."
Zero hour
The deputy director of the Hope Probe launch project, Mohamed Wali, said that every step the project is currently going through, from wrapping the probe and placing it inside the launch capsule to installing it on the launch missile, is extremely important, and the team deals with it with extreme precision, because it culminates six years of Diligent work with dedication, and indicates that we are close to the zero hour when the "Probe of Hope" successfully launches on its space mission. In turn, the head of the launch team, Omar Al-Shehhi, said that the series of operations that the work team had successfully completed during the past days, until the launch capsule containing the "probe of hope" on the launch missile was running accurately according to the predetermined schedule, and these operations included monitoring Ongoing, and detailed tests, to ensure proper operation of subsystems efficiently, and to ensure that all systems operate in accordance with optimal levels.
Sarah Al-Amiri:
"The probe puts the information it will collect in front of 200 research centers in the world, free of charge."
Cover the probe with a thermocouple to protect it from the topography, atmosphere, and temperature changes.