UAE Mars Mission: how to watch the historic launch live

Viewers from around the world are expected to tune into the live stream of the first Arab mission to Mars on July 15

The Hope probe was placed inside this payload fairing last week and was transferred to building where the rocket is kept. Courtesy: Shoma Watanbe

The launch pad is ready to receive the H-IIA rocket, which will deliver the Hope probe to space. It will take 30 to 40-minutes for the rocket to be transported to the launch pad. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita

The payload fairing, which is holding the spacecraft, has been mounted on top of the rocket. The structure is meant to protect the probe from dynamic pressure and aerodynamic heating it experiences during its launch into an atmosphere. Courtesy: Shoma Watanbe

The probe was already fuelled with 800kgs of hydrogen for its seven-month-long journey to Mars. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission

The H-IIA rocket that will carry the Hope probe into space. Dubai Twitter account

All launch viewing events in Tanegashima have been suspended as part of the Covid-19 safety measures. Signs have been up in all of popular spots, asking the public to keep a 3km distance from the Tanegashima Space Centre on launch day. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita

The most popular launch viewing site is the Rocket Hill. It is a five-minute drive from the main building of the Tangashima Space Centre and offers a clear view of the launch. It remains closed to the public. The National

The free bus tour and exhibition at the Tanegashima Space Centre has also been suspended in efforts to contain the Covid-19 spread. Signs were placed outside of the centre, alerting the public. Courtesy: Yoshiaki Sakita

Engineers at the launch site in Tanegashima island, Japan. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission

The completed Hope spacecraft. It will study the lower and upper atmosphere of Mars. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission

The UAE is close to achieving another historic feat as it prepares to launch its Hope spacecraft for a mission to Mars.

Millions of people around the world tuned in online when Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, the nation’s first Emirati astronaut, blasted off into space last year.

Now, all eyes are on the Emirates Mars Mission, which is the first Arab mission to go to the Red Planet.

People can watch the live stream on the official mission website.

The launch is taking place at 12.51am (UAE time) on Wednesday. However, coverage will start before that.

The live stream is available in English and Arabic, and has options for with or without commentary.

The mission remains on schedule and several weather checks will be carried out in advance to ensure a smooth lift off.

Latest updates show the probe, which is now inside the payload fairing, is in the process of being mounted on top of the rocket.

The rocket will be rolled out to the launch pad soon in a 30 to 40-minute-long operation to protect it and the craft from possible damage.

Sarah Al Amiri, president of the UAE Space Agency and deputy project manager of the mission, confirmed that all systems were "go" for the launch on Wednesday midnight.

“The spacecraft is ready for launch and all of the systems are now at a level that is ready to be launched,” she said.

“We also checked the ground segment and the operations in mission control and they are ready to accept the spacecraft after launch.

“The final checks are currently ongoing on both the launch vehicle and mission control. We are ready to launch as scheduled early in the morning on July 15.”