Astronaut tours Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Chris Hadfield, an astronaut who became famous for social media posts in which he played his guitar from space, has visited Dubai to learn more about the UAE’s space programme.

Commander Hadfield toured the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and discussed the latest updates with employees of the UAE’s National Space Programme during a recent visit.

Having flown in space three times and commanded the International Space Station, Commander Hadfield is considered by some to be the most famous astronaut since Neil Armstrong.

He amassed hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers and garnered almost 400,000 likes on Facebook in the five months he spent in space in 2013. His version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity attracted 15 million YouTube views in two weeks.

In a video produced by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, he said almost everything that exists is to be found beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. “The universe is endless, and to me it’s intensely interesting.

“And I think it’s great that the Emirates is getting involved in that,” Commander Hadfield said.

“The satellites that you have launched, the capability to see the Earth, but now participating with the other countries of the world to try to discover and understand the universe around us. I think it’s what we need to do and it’s delightful that I am part of that international effort also.”

Last year was a big year for the UAE’s space programme, with the launch of two satellites and the announcement of plans to send the country’s first astronaut into space.

Either Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, a doctor of information technology, or Hazza Al Mansouri, a military pilot, will fly to the International Space Station this year.

And even bigger plans are to follow with the launch of Hope, or Al Amal, the Mars mission that will send an orbiting probe to the Red Planet in time for the UAE’s 50th anniversary in 2021.

The universe is endless, and to me it’s intensely interesting. I think it’s great that the UAE is getting involved in that CHRIS HADFIELD Astronaut