UAE again delays Mars probe launch over bad weather
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It cited "unstable weather conditions at the launch site in Tanegashima Island in Japan" and said a new launch date would be announced within 24 hours.
The United Arab Emirates would delay the launch of its "Hope" Mars probe for a second time, again due to bad weather.
The probe was originally due to be launched from Japan on Wednesday but had been postponed until Friday for the same reason.
It cited "unstable weather conditions at the launch site in Tanegashima Island in Japan" and said a new launch date would be announced within 24 hours.
"After extensive meetings, the @UAESpaceAgency and @MBRSpaceCentre, through discussions with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announce a further delay of the Mars Hope Probe launch," Dubai's media office tweeted on Wednesday.
The UAE is set to be the first Arab nation to send a probe to Mars.
"Hope" -- Al-Amal in Arabic -- is expected to start orbiting Mars by February 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE. Once there, it will loop the planet for a whole Martian year of 687 Earth days.
The probe is one of three racing to the Red Planet, with Chinese and US rockets also taking advantage of the Earth and Mars being unusually close.