First time in history, countdown for Mars Hope Probe in Arabic

The UAE has announced that the countdown to the launch of the Mars Hope Probe will be in Arabic, for the first time in history.

That's according to His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al-Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, who spoke about the mission in a closed meeting on Tuesday.

The launch will be taking place in Japan next week on Wednesday, July 15.

Al-Gergawi said this is an achievement celebrated not only by the UAE but the whole of the Arab region. 

He also explained that the Hope Probe will be managed from a control room set-up in Dubai's Al-Khawaneej area by Emirati youth.