Etisalat and du signal support for Mars mission by changing network name

Phone customers were greeted by the slogan ‘UAE2Mars’ as the country prepares to launch Hope probe into space

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in 2017. Hamad Al Kaabi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in 2017. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed sign a piece of the Hope Probe, which will be launched to Mars in July, at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visit the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre ​​​​​​​as the final external part of the Hope Probe, signed by UAE rulers, is installed. Wam

The Hope Probe in Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, before it was transported to Japan. Wam

The Hope Probe in Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, before it was transported to Japan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by the Hope Probe team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre headquarters about the final technical and logistical preparations and testing procedures ahead of the Hope Probe’s launch in July. Wam

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, visits the centre to see the Hope Probe. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed visit the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre as the last external part of the Hope Probe is installed. Wam

The Hope Probe arrives at its launch site, at the space station on Tanegashima Island, in Japan.

Officials from the UAE Space Agency and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre oversee the delivery of the Hope Probe to its launch site at the space station on Tanegashima Island in Japan.

The Hope Probe is delivered to the launch site at the space station on Tanegashima Island in Japan.

The Hope Probe is delivered to the launch site at the space station on Tanegashima Island in Japan.

Telecom operators du and Etisalat showed support for the UAE's historic launch of the Hope probe on its mission to Mars by changing their network names in honour of the event.

This week, phone customers across the Emirates were greeted by the slogan ‘UAE2Mars’ as the country prepares to etch its name in the record books with yet another historic space voyage.

A number of mobile customers tweeted screenshots of the message ahead of the launch, which will take place at 12.51am UAE time on Wednesday.

The carrier rocket will blast off from Japan against the backdrop of an Arabic countdown which will be broadcast around the world. It will be the first time the famous countdown will be voiced in Arabic.

The probe is intended to reach the planet’s orbit in 2021 and data collected will help to answer questions about the Martian atmosphere.