Ruler of Sharjah, CP sign last piece of Hope Probe

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, received on Sunday Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, responsible for the file of the scientific team to explore Mars, and a number of members of “Hope Probe” project team, at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST).

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the Hope Probe team, appreciating their efforts and the UAE’s record scientific achievements, wishing them success in their mission that serves science and humanity.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah reviewed the efforts and interest of Sharjah in the scientific fields and research, especially in the field of space, astronomy and science technology.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi stressed that the Hope Probe establishes a new scientific stage for the discovery of Mars and serves science and scientists, as it reflects the vision of the UAE and its aspirations for a bright scientific future.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the Sharjah CP listened to an explanation by Al Amiri and the teamwork about the stages and equipment of the Hope Probe project, which is the first Emirati mission to discover Mars which will start in mid-July 2020 and reach Mars in February 2021, to coincide with the celebrations of the UAE Golden Jubilee.

Sheikh Sultan and the Crown Prince signed the last piece of the Hope Probe project that bears the names and signatures of Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, and the Crown Princes.

The Hope Probe will carry with it the UAE Nation Brand’s logo and its accompanying slogan, ‘Make it Happen’, when the spacecraft built by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre takes off for Mars later this year.

The brand’s placement on the probe, called ‘Al-Amal’ in Arabic, symbolises the future-forward aspirations that the new brand represents.

Designed by seven Emirati artists from each emirate, the UAE Nation Brand represents the map of the UAE through the seven lines designed in the colours of the national flag. The ‘Seven Lines’ design also represents the seven beacons, seven founders and seven pillars that convey the ambitions of the UAE’s visionary leadership and its people.

The brand, which was voted for by more than 10.6 million people worldwide, reaffirms the notion that the UAE’s ambitions are limitless, that the word ‘impossible’ is not in the nation’s vocabulary. This message of aspiration and pathfinding for future generations will be emblazoned on both the Hope Probe spacecraft and the rocket that will carry it.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Ahmad Bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said, “Attaching the UAE Nation Brand to the Hope Probe is a celebration of the scientific milestones that the men and women of the UAE, from engineers and scientists to technicians and mathematicians, have achieved. It is also a clear symbol of our pride in this landmark national project that is considered the greatest Arab project in the field of space exploration.

“The UAE Nation Brand evokes our nation’s capabilities, its efforts to become a leading modern, ambitious people that has the trailblazing foresight and vision to drive the future world forward,” he added.

“Ours is a nation that is constantly evolving and progressing,” Al Falasi continued, “it is a nation that has proved, day in, day out, that the answer to rapid advances is not in the availability of resources, but in the successful management of them. With the wellbeing of its people at the forefront of its national agenda, the UAE and its wise leadership have created a place where future generations have the best chances of thriving and prospering.”

He went on to say, “The UAE Nation Brand tells the story of our country’s rich history and its many milestones. As such, the development and design of the UAE Nation Brand draws parallels with the building of the Hope Probe.”