UAE astronauts Nora and Mohammad graduate from nasa training programme

UAE astronauts Nora and Mohammad graduate from nasa training programme

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today announced the graduation of Emirati astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla from the 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class training programme in a ceremony held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA. The milestone marks the culmination of over two years of extensive training, which began in January 2022, and establishes them as fully qualified astronauts ready for future space missions.

The 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class, known as ‘The Flies’ featured ten NASA candidates along with the UAE’s AlMulla and AlMatrooshi, the latter being the first female Arab astronaut. Each candidate received an astronaut pin at the ceremony, symbolising their readiness for space missions and their contributions to future explorations.

The graduation ceremony was attended by astronaut H.E. Dr. Sultan Saif AlNeyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, Astronauts Office Manager, MBRSC, alongside team members from the Centre.

H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, said, “The comprehensive training undertaken by our cadre of astronauts exemplifies the strategic and multidimensional approach the UAE is taking towards space exploration.

Nora and Mohammad's journey from rigorous preparatory training to completing the NASA programme demonstrates their readiness