Locals on the Tanegashima island have been watching rockets soar across the skies above them for more than 50 years.
Surrounded by emerald green waters and lush green mountains, the island is home to the Tanegashima Space Centre, which is nestled in the heart of mother nature.
So, when a 53-metre-tall rocket blasts off from the site, it’s a stellar view.
The picturesque location also helps attract hundreds of tourists from all over the world.
I visited the island in December to mark it off my bucket list and had hoped to go again to cover the launch of UAE’s Mars Hope spacecraft, but Covid-19 travel restrictions didn’t allow it.
The 33,000 inhabitants in Tanegashima, however, have the chance to witness the first Arab interplanetary mission taking off.
Even though local authorities have closed public viewing events because of the virus, the rocket can still be seen from miles away on the 444.99km2-large island.
With 175 launches since 1968, space has become sort of a lifestyle for the natives.
They are planning their own gathering with friends and families to watch another UAE spacecraft lift off from their island. The first one was a satellite, KhalifaSat, in 2018.
Kazumichi Takai, 54, manages a drone company and watches every launch.
“I’m glad the UAE chose a Japanese rocket for the launch. We’ll be watching from a distance,” he said.
Kaori Habu, 43, was born and raised on the island and looks forward to lift-offs that take place in the evening and illuminate the sky.
The Hope spacecraft will be taking off at 12.51am (UAE time) – 6.51am in Tanegashima – on July 15 if there are no delays because of the unstable weather caused by the ongoing rain season.
The Japanese H-IIA rocket, a product of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be delivering the craft outside of Earth’s atmosphere.
“We are grateful that many countries are launching from Tanegashima,” said Ms Habu, who works as an administrator.
“People will get to know our island because of the rocket launches.”
One woman in Tanegashima, Reiko Kawagoe, 44, was so inspired with space, she created her own brand of space food for astronauts.
She is in talks with Japan’s space agency Jaxa to make her product available to Japanese astronauts.
“I made spicy Indian curry for the astronauts, using the items we grow here on the island, such as brown sugar, sea salt and chicken,” said Ms Kawagoe, who works as a part time yoga instructor.
“It is exciting to see countries in the Middle East also getting involved in space.”
For tourists, the experience on rocket island is exemplary even if there is no launch scheduled.
During my visit, it became obvious that there was a recurring space-theme throughout.
The water bottles in Tanegashima have plastic wrappers that have images of astronauts and rockets.
Most of the hotels have framed photos on the walls of previous rocket launches.
The space centre is the most recommended tourist spot and there’s a free tour around the site and in the exhibition for visitors. Though, it has been suspended due to recent events.
Tourists can purchase souvenirs from there, such as model rockets and space food. I couldn’t walk away without buying the takoyaki – a dehydrated version of a Japanese cuisine (octopus dumplings) that is prepared for astronauts.
As you drive around the island, you see model rockets installed in different locations.
Like most rocket launching islands or deserts, Tanegashima is also a complicated place to travel to.
I took a flight from Dubai to Osaka, then to Kagoshima and then Tanegashima. From the airport, it’s a 20 to 25-minute drive to the space centre, as it’s on the very south side of the island.
For those who would like to watch UAE's upcoming mission to Mars launch, a live stream is available here.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
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