Emirati engineers preparing Hope Probe for historic launch
Team performing final system checks ahead of July 15 expedition to Mars
Ateam of Emirati engineers is conducting final tests on the Hope Probe, to check that all systems are functioning, before its scheduled launch from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre (TNSC) on July 15.
“The final checks are important steps to ensure that all systems are functioning and meeting the requirements before the fuelling” said Suhail Al Dhafri, Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) deputy project manager and Spacecraft Lead.
Leading the team are Omran Sharaf Al Hashemi, EMM project director; Al Dhafri: Omar Al Shehhi, launch team lead; Mohsen Al Awadi, risk Manager, Yousuf Al Shehhi, thermal systems engineer; Khalifa Al Muhairi, communication systems engineer; Eisa Al Muhairi, power systems engineer; Ahmad Al Yamahi, mechanical systems engineer, Mahmoud Al Awadi, mechanical systems engineer; and Mohammad Al Amri, ground support systems engineer.
The Hope Probe has undergone a series of tests over a period of 50 working days since its arrival at TNSC in April. Engineers tested the spacecraft subsystems that include electrical power, communication, altitude control, command and control, propulsion, thermal control and software systems.
Dr Ahmad Bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and the Chairman of UAE Space Agency, said: “Hope Probe is representative of the ambitions of the UAE and its positive message of hope to the region and the world.”