UAE’s next human space flight mission: Top official reveals how astronauts are already training for it

UAE’s next human space flight mission: Top official reveals how astronauts are already training for it

Salem Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, speaks to Khaleej Times about the nation's objectives and mission readiness

Published: Mon 6 Mar 2023, 4:30 PM

The UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is focusing on keeping its astronauts ‘mission-ready’ for all upcoming missions, with human space flight opportunities possibly landing within three to five years.

Speaking exclusively to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the ongoing 17th International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2023) in Dubai, Salem Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), opines the country will continue with its future programmes for training national cadres in the space sector, with mission-readiness being one of the top priorities.

This comes after UAE astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi went to space on March 2, aboard the SpaceX Dragon named Endeavour.

“As a small country, every three to five years - give or take a couple of years - if we get an opportunity, we will take that opportunity and send a UAE astronaut (to space). Flight selection is very specifically based on training, capabilities, health, and situation of the astronaut as well as mission specific technical details. So, maybe Hazzaa is more suited to