The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, noted that Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is an honorable model for Emiratis and Arab youth. This statement was made at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) announcement that Al Neyadi had been selected for the first long-term mission to the International Space Station as part of the NASA, Space-X, and Crew-6 mission set to launch in spring 2023.
It is the first time the UAE has participated in a long-term mission to space in history. He congratulated the Emirati people on Al Neyadi’s selection for the mission, noting that the UAE became the 11th country to do so in history. Sheikh Mohamed said that Al Neyadi is an example of Emirati youth, as well as an ambassador for all Arabs in the space race. He stressed that the country is establishing the foundations for this sector by providing trained national cadres, launching further scientific projects related to space exploration, and supporting related industries.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced that Al Neyadi has been selected to be the first Arab astronaut to take part in a long-term space mission to the International Space Station. As part of the UAE Astronaut Programme, Al Neyadi will perform various in-depth and advanced scientific experiments aboard the ISS over the next six months, which is intended to train and prepare Emirati astronauts for missions in space. Al Neyadi’s mission was the result of a strategic partnership agreement that was signed between Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Axiom Space, a US space company developing space infrastructure and flights.