The United Arab Emirates will send a satellite to Mars in the coming days to study its weather and climate.
Hope, as the 1.3-tonne probe is called, is launching on an H-2A rocket from Japan’s remote Tanegashima spaceport.
The 500-million-km journey should see the robotic craft arrive in February 2021 – in time for the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s formation.
Officials will set a launch date and time just as soon as the weather at Tanegashima complies.
Two attempts have already been called off ahead of time because of expected poor conditions.
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Hope is one of three missions launching to Mars this month. The US and China both have surface rovers in the late stages of preparation.
