Etisalat and du signal support for Mars mission by changing network name

Telecom operators du and Etisalat showed support for the UAE's historic launch of the Hope probe on its mission to Mars by changing their network names in honour of the event.

This week, phone customers across the Emirates were greeted by the slogan ‘UAE2Mars’ as the country prepares to etch its name in the record books with yet another historic space voyage.

A number of mobile customers tweeted screenshots of the message ahead of the launch, which will take place at 12.51am UAE time on Wednesday.

The carrier rocket will blast off from Japan against the backdrop of an Arabic countdown which will be broadcast around the world. It will be the first time the famous countdown will be voiced in Arabic.

The probe is intended to reach the planet’s orbit in 2021 and data collected will help to answer questions about the Martian atmosphere.