Explained: Why UAE’s Mars probe launch was delayed

Explained: Why UAE’s Mars probe launch was delayed

Another evaluation will be conducted five hours before the new launch time, and once again an hour before liftoff.





A two-day delay in launching the UAE's Hope probe to Mars has been attributed to storm clouds that rolled in around the launch pad ahead of the scheduled liftoff.

The probe was to have launched at 00:51 on July 15, but is now scheduled to take off at 00:43 on July 17 from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Another evaluation will be conducted five hours before the new launch time, and once again an hour before liftoff.

"The two-day delay came after the launch team in Japan and the UAE's control room team held a meeting with the team in charge of the launch site on Japan's Tanegashima Island. The mission was given a no-go following a weather evaluation," the Hope probe team said.

Complete coverage of UAE's mission to Mars

Weather watchWeather plays a central role in ensuring a safe rocket launch to space due to its impact on the upper atmosphere. According to weather forecasts, heavy rainstorms are expected to continue in southern and central Japan.

Since July 4, Japan has been reeling under devastating rains and flooding, mainly in the southwestern-most island