United Arab Emirates: Amal functioning after launch to Mars

A United Arab Emirates spacecraft rocketed away Monday on a seven-month journey to Mars, kicking off the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. The liftoff of the Mars orbiter named Amal, or Hope, from Japan marked the start of a rush to fly to Earth’s neighbor that includes attempts by China and the United States. The UAE said its ‘Amal’ space probe was functioning after launch as it heads toward Mars.