Dubai: UAE astronaut Mr. Sultan Al Neyadi has become the first Arab to complete a record-breaking six-month space mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Mr. Al Nayedi has conducted groundbreaking scientific experiments that benefit both humanity and the global scientific community during his stay.
The Emirati astronaut also became the first Arab to undertake a spacewalk outside the ISS during the 69th mission last April. This spacewalk lasted approximately 7 hours and involved various essential tasks, including maintenance and preparations for installing additional solar panels on the station.
This achievement strengthened the UAE’s global prominence in the space field, with the nation now ranking 10th globally in spacewalk missions outside the ISS.
It highlights the ongoing commitment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) to advancing space exploration. Additionally, this historic accomplishment adds to the Arab world’s contributions to outer space exploration.
Following Mr. Al Neyadi’s completion of approximately 4,000 hours of work in space, the Emirati astronaut significantly contributed to the scientific and technological progress in the UAE. He conducted roughly 200 scientific experiments across various domains, totaling about 585 hours.
Mr. Al Neyadi’s journey significantly expanded society’s understanding of the space sector and its various aspects through the “A Call from Space” series. This initiative engaged over 10,000 individuals and included approximately 12 visual interactions with the public and 7 wireless communications from the MBRSC.
The MBRSC’s mission, conducted under the UAE Astronaut Program on March 3, 2023, marked a historic milestone as the first long-term mission for Arab astronauts. Mr. AlNeyadi reached the ISS on board the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour, alongside the Crew-6 mission team.
The UAE Astronaut Program, overseen by the MBRSC, is a project funded by the ICT Fund and linked to the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. Its primary goal is to support research and development within the ICT sector.