UAE to send first Arab astronaut for 180-day long mission to International Space Station

UAE to send first Arab astronaut for 180-day long mission to International Space Station

Emirates will be the 11th country in history to send a long-term mission to space

By Web Desk Published: Fri 29 Apr 2022, 2:11 PM Last updated: Fri 29 Apr 2022, 3:16 PM

The UAE signed a new agreement to send the first Arab is set to send the first Arab astronaut for a 180-day long mission to the International Space Station.

UAE has booked a spot to send an Emirati astronaut to be part of the SpaceX Crew-6 mission scheduled for launch in 2023 from Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in a tweet wrote: "The UAE will be the 11th country in history to send a long-term mission to space."

"Proud of the UAE youth."

The deal was signed between UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Axiom Space.

Salem Al Marri, Director General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said, "Emirati astronauts are fully prepared for this mission after undergoing extensive training in preparation for long-term missions in space. The training included spacewalks, working on the systems of the International Space Station, and other missions."

He continued, "Signing an agreement with Axiom Space is a significant