Emirates Mars Mission postponed again due to weather conditions

The launch of the UAE's Hope Probe to Mars has been delayed again due to poor weather conditions at the launch site in Japan.

A new date for July will be announced within the next 24 hours.

The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre said the decision was made in consultation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the company that built the rocket that the probe will be launched on.

After extensive meetings, the @UAESpaceAgency and @MBRSpaceCentre, through discussions with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announce a further delay of the Mars Hope Probe launch due to continued unstable weather conditions at the launch site in Tanegashima Island, Japan.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 15, 2020

Taking to their official Twitter handle, Hope Mars Mission explained that heavy clouds at the launch site and frozen air layer in the atmosphere were also contributing factors.

تعرّف إلى أسباب تأجيل موعد إطلاق #مسبار_الأمل.. ترقّب الموعد الجديد للإطلاق وتابع البث المباشر عبر : https://t.co/mCEo0Nphjv#أول_عد_تنازلي_عربي#العرب_إلى_المريخ pic.twitter.com/d7QbmEyGm2

— Hope Mars Mission (@HopeMarsMission) July 15, 2020

The Hope Probe was initially scheduled to lift off on Wednesday, July 15 (00:51 UAE time), and was later pushed to Friday, July 17 (00:43 UAE time).

The team behind the mission has a window until August 3 to launch the probe.