UAE Appoints First Female Arab Astronaut for NASA Programme

UAE Appoints First Female Arab Astronaut for NASA Programme

The new batch of the UAE astronauts were selected from more than 4,300 applicants after comprehensive evaluations.

The duo will join the "2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class“, as part of a joint strategic agreement between the UAE and the US, to train them at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

They will be trained in human spaceflight, research and space flight control, and will also be trained to carry out missions in low orbit, using the Human Exploration Research Analog, a unique three-story habitat designed to serve as an analog for isolation, confinement, and remote conditions in exploration scenarios.

Under the programme, the astronauts will be trained to manage various missions on the International Space Station, including simulated spacewalks and long duration stay, along with training in major systems, robotics, extravehicular activity, T-38 jet courses, water and land survival, Russian language skills and theoretical training.

The applicants underwent several phases of evaluation and qualification in accordance with international standards. In Phase One, the list was filtered down to 2099 applicants based on their age, educational background, and scientific research experience.

In the first phase, the candidates were selected based on several factors, the most important of which were scientific competencies, educational qualifications and practical experiences.

In subsequent phases,