Arabs to Mars: UAE leaders change Twitter profiles in honour of Hope probe

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, joined other senior royals in championing the country's landmark mission

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has shown his support for the UAE's mission to Mars. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid / Twitter

UAE leaders are sharing their support for the country's historic mission to Mars with millions of people across the globe.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, changed his Twitter profile picture to that of a close-up of Mars, etched with the date of the Hope probe's planned arrival into the planet's orbit, February 9, and the inspiring words "Arabs to Mars".

Sheikh Mohammed has 10.5 million followers on the social media platform.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has also adopted the same picture profile on his personal account, which boasts 4.1 million followers.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, who has  4.2 million Twitter followers, followed suit to deliver a unified message of Emirati pride as the nation's space sector prepares to take a huge stride forward.

Anticipation is gathering pace for the day of destiny for an ambitious project years in the making.

Landmarks across the Emirates – including Dubai Frame, the emirate's Museum of the Future, Dubai Canal and Dhayah Fort in Ras Al Khaimah – will be lit up in red each night in dazzling tribute to the Arab world's maiden journey to Mars.

The Hope probe will attempt to enter the Red Planet’s orbit at 7.42pm on Tuesday, February 9.

While the mission has gone smoothly since its launch on July 20 last year, the most challenging part of the journey is fast approaching.

Only 50 per cent of Mars missions succeed, with orbit insertion being one of the most complex stages.

It requires the spacecraft to decelerate incredibly quickly to be captured by the planet’s gravity. Because of an 11-minute communication delay between mission control and the orbiter, Hope will carry out the process autonomously.

UAE's journey to Mars: