The United Arab Emirates launched its first mission to Mars on Monday as it strives to develop its scientific and technological capabilities and reduce its reliance on oil.<br /><br />The Hope Probe blasted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center at 6:58 am Japanese time Monday for a seven-month journey to the red planet, where it will orbit and send back data about the atmosphere.<br /><br />The first Arab mission to Mars was initially due to launch on July 14, but has been delayed twice due to bad weather.
