Space chat fires up youngsters

Members of the public who participated in Hazzaa Al Mansoori’s first live televised link-up from the International Space Station (ISS) at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Al Khawaneej here yesterday said the first Emirati in space was an inspiration for all.

Saud Karmustaji, director of communications at MBRSC, who welcomed Hazzaa and the audience to the session, said Hazzaa was a role model for the UAE’s youth.

Meanwhile Karmustaji’s colleague, Mohammad Al Abbar, head of the electrical power section at MBRSC, said the live session with Hazzaa from the spaceship was amazing. “People were super happy to talk to him. We saw the kids, the young generation, how happy they were to talk to him,” said Al Abbar.

Emirati student Faima Ahmad Al Hamadi, who came all the way from Khor Fakkan, said Hazzaa was her idol. “I am going to study space science. I will apply for a scholarship from the MBRSC and follow the advice given by Hazzaa,” she said. Butti Ahmad, a Grade Six student, and Noor Al Fardan, in year eight, said they also saw Hazzaa as an inspiration who would encourage them to pursue their own dreams of a career in space science.

“It was a very overwhelming experience to find out that he is actually safe in space and he made it,” said Noor whose ambition is to be an aerospace engineer.

A group of students from The Indian High School said they were also very happy for and proud of the UAE and Hazzaa.

“We learnt how he adapted to the environmental changes out there without gravity in the space station. It was an amazing experience to see him perform his activities wonderfully for his country,” said Jayant Manghwani.