UAE’s Hope probe is cruising towards Mars

UAE’s Hope probe is cruising towards Mars

Officials addressing the first press conference after Hope reached its space orbit.





The UAE's Hope probe is "healthy and successfully cruising towards Mars", a top official has said.

Omran Sharaf, Project Manager, Emirates Mars Mission, said: "The first data from the spacecraft was received around 3.10 am. It symbolises our journey towards Mars."

The official was addressing the first press conference after Hope reached its space orbit in just over an hour after it took off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre earlier today.

In just an under an hour after take-off, the spacecraft separated from its launch vehicle. Its solar panels were deployed so as to charge the probe's batteries. Soon after, it transmitted its first signal.