A space probe designed by Emirati engineers and due to launch this year is a message to young Arabs everywhere that "hope transcends the distance between earth and the skies."
That was the message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday, as he marked the arrival of the UAE's Hope Probe to its launch site in Japan.
UAE’s Hope probe arrived in Japan ahead of schedule, on April 22, to ensure a timely launch due to the ongoing travel restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic. It was delivered to the launch site on Saturday.
There is a launch window from July 14 to August 3, during which the probe is expected to take off.
"The Hope Probe represents a turning point for the Arab and Islamic world in the space sector. Reaching Mars is not only a scientific goal, it sends a message to our Arab youth that we are capable and that hope transcends the distance between earth and the skies," Sheikh Mohammed said on Saturday.
"Despite tough global travel conditions, our engineers are working according to schedule to complete the region’s top space science project. The probe was developed in less than 6 years, instead of 10, and at half the cost. We aim to launch in July, according to plan."
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, was on hand at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to see the probe off.
"Thank you to the specialised team that accompanied the probe from the UAE to Japan, and thank all parties and teams in the Emirates government for their efforts, and thanks to the engineers and specialists who are now at the launch site, who will work during the next 80 days to prepare the probe for launch," she said on Twitter on Saturday.
During normal times, engineers and a spacecraft are expected to reach the launch site 40 days before the take off.
However, in the current circumstances, Hope was sent earlier to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted preparation for the launch.
It will take seven to nine months for Hope to reach the desired Martian orbit and its arrival is meant to coincide with UAE’s 50th anniversary.
"The Emirates Mars Mission's (EMM) Hope spacecraft has already been delivered to Japan, and is planned to be delivered to the Tanegashima Space Centre soon," Mitsu Ikeya, a corporate communications officer at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – the launch service provider for the probe – told The National.
“The preparation is continuously going on with minimal impact from the Covid-19.”
Omran Al Sharaf, the project manager of EMM, had addressed the 38th e-meeting of Nasa’s Mars Exploration Programme Analysis Group on April 17.
It was revealed then that a small team of Emirati engineers had left for Japan so they could prepare for the launch once the probe arrives.
They spent 15 days in mandatory quarantine.
Special flights and visas for them were arranged as entry for foreign travellers is currently restricted in Japan and all outbound flights have been suspended in the UAE.
Hope has been built by a team of 150 Emirati engineers, researchers and scientists at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and in collaboration with three US universities.
The project is funded by the UAE Space Agency.
If successfully placed in the Martian orbit, it will be the first orbiter to get a global view of the Red Planet due to high-altitude positioning.
The objective of the mission is to study the upper and lower atmosphere of the planet.
Developed in the US, the probe arrived in the UAE a couple of months ago and was kept at MBRSC’s clean room.
It went through a series of critical tests, including a decontamination, installation and testing of the solar panels and shock tests.
This will be the second time the UAE launches a mission from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre.
KhalifaSat, the first 100 per cent Emirati-built satellite, was launched from the centre in 2018.
KhalifaSat was sent to Japan 40 days before it took off on October 29.
Mars missions from other countries are also trying to ensure a timely launch.
Nasa’s Mars 2020 will be launching this July from Florida. China also plans to launch its Mars orbiter this summer.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
'Nightmare Alley'
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Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Rating: 3/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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THE LIGHT
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Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
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Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
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Mica
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Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
GAC GS8 Specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Four out of five stars
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Essentials
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Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
