Emirati astronauts cleared for launch on Nasa missions after completing training
Two UAE astronauts have graduated from Nasa’s basic training programme and are now eligible to take part in missions led by the US agency.
Maj Hazza Al Mansouri and Dr Sultan Al Neyadi were awarded their Nasa astronaut pins on Sunday, signifying that they are qualified to take part in projects on the International Space Station and beyond. Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman attached the pins to their lapels during the ceremony.
The Emirati pair will now begin training for the six-month Nasa-SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the orbiting laboratory. One UAE astronaut will travel to space, with the other given the role of back-up astronaut.
“It’s an exceptional feeling when 20 months of assiduous training pays off,” said Dr Al Neyadi, a former IT professional. “A big thank you to MBRSC [Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre] and the Nasa team, my colleague Hazza and everyone who supported me in being awarded the Nasa astronaut pin. Our training continues towards achieving bigger goals.”
Maj Al Mansouri, a former fighter pilot, became the first Emirati in space when he spent eight days on board the ISS in 2019. He made the trip to space on a Russian Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan.
He performed experiments on the station and conducted a tour in Arabic.
The training undertaken by Dr Al Neyadi and Maj Al Mansouri to earn their Nasa pins included learning how to perform spacewalks and operate ISS robotics such as the Canadarm2, which can be used for maintenance on the station.
They will now begin mission training, including learning how to operate the systems of the SpaceX Dragon capsule, which will be attached to the Falcon 9 rocket that carries the crew to the station.
The Emirati astronaut selected to go to space will serve as a mission specialist and will travel alongside Nasa astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg.
The UAE astronaut will carry out an educational campaign for youths in the Middle East, as well as a variety of scientific experiments.
Because both Maj Al Mansouri and Dr Al Neyadi are qualified to perform spacewalks, a trip outside of the station could also be on the cards.