Photo for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The UAE's Moon mission will launch on Monday, November 28th, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The new launch date was revealed on Thursday during a Mission 1 pre-launch press conference in Japan, citing the effects of Hurricane Nicole, which hit Florida. The launch time has been set at 5:46 pm Japan time, which is 12.46 pm UAE time. Japan-based ispace inc will land the UAE's Rashid Rover on the lunar surface. "After repeated discussion with Space X and confirming the status from the launch site in Florida…we have been impacted by the hurricane, but I am very pleased to be able to announce the date of the launch." stated Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace inc. Meanwhile, a team from the UAE's Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre (MBRSC) has arrived in Florida to prepare for the launch of the nascent Emirati Mission to the Moon, and an official countdown has begun. Salem Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre (MBRSC), previously announced on Twitter that he and his crew had landed in Florida this week to launch the first Lunar Mission. "In Florida this week with our team, we are preparing for the launch of the 1st Emirati mission to the Moon…we are preparing with Nasa for Sultan Al Neyadi's launch next year." AlMarri said on Twitter. BKM/ Expat Media
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