Diana Farah Dubai

Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center has seen the launching of several rockets over the years, but most recently the center witnessed the first ever Arab mission to Mars, in cooperation with the UAE.

The historic liftoff took place on July 20, with the UAE’s Hope Probe mounted on Mitsubishi’s MHI’s H-IIA launch vehicle F42.

Preparation for the Emirates Mars Mission began six years prior, and the probe, along with the first team of Emirati engineers, arrived in Japan April 6 of this year.

The collaboration between the UAE and Japan “exemplifies the distinctive strategic partnership,” according to UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) stated Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Sheikh Abdullah discussed in a phone call in July the “notable bilateral relations the two countries enjoy and their constant desire to enhance cooperation in many areas.”

At a press conference on July 17, Motegi praised the upcoming launch of the UAE’s Hope Probe to Mars as a “very important project” symbolizing the “strong relationship” between the two countries.

The probe, which is currently in outer space, is set to reach Mars in February 2021. The mission is currently halfway to its destination, with engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center keeping a close on the next step: orbit insertion.

Vice President of JAXA Yasuo Ishii said it was an “honour for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to be part of the historical launch of the Hope mission from our Tanegashima Space Centre by the H-IIA Launch vehicle,” according to WAM.

Ishii praised the UAE’s efforts in making the first Arab mission to Mars a reality, and said he looked forward to “promoting further cooperation with the UAE in space activities.”

Japanese Ambassador to the UAE Akihiko Nakajima also pointed out the “daunting task” the UAE took on but managed to complete with success.

“Integrating all the related technologies, both mature and emerging, into a single mission architecture requires excellent talents, guts and skills,” he said.

Nakajima said the space mission yields more opportunities for further bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Japan.

In April, the UAE managed to transport the Hope Probe in 83 hours despite COVID-19 air travel restrictions.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said: “We proudly announce the successful transfer of the first Regional Mars probe from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center in Dubai to the launch site on Tanegashima island in Japan, in an 83-hour operation under the supervision of a team of Emirati engineers.”