UAE astronauts ‘well equipped’ for six-month ISS mission

The UAE’s role in a mission to the International Space Station next year will help the country’s space programme to reach even greater heights, a senior official has said.

An Emirati astronaut will be part of Nasa’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission and will spend six months on the ISS.

It will be the first long-term mission to the station by an Arab country.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre secured a place on the mission by purchasing a seat from American infrastructure company Axiom Space.

Salem Al Marri, director general of the centre, said the UAE was set to become a major player in spaceflight.

“This mission marks a milestone in the UAE’s rapid growth in the space sector,” he said.

“Our Emirati astronauts are highly equipped for this mission, having undergone a rigorous training programme.”