Dubai: In a historic celebration marking the UAE’s 53rd Eid Al Etihad, five Emiratis were awarded prestigious Space Medals for their remarkable contributions to advancing the nation’s space program.
The awards, presented under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, were conferred by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, during a ceremony at Zaabeel Palace.
The ceremony, held in the presence of several dignitaries, honored individuals whose dedication has propelled the UAE to the forefront of global space exploration.
Among those in attendance were: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Senior officials, including aviation and space leaders.
Space Achievements
First-Class Space Medals were awarded to:
- Dr. Sultan bin Saif AlNeyadi, for his record-breaking mission as the first Arab astronaut to conduct a spacewalk and execute extensive scientific research aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
- Major Hazzaa Ali Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut to reach the ISS, for his participation in 16 international scientific experiments.
Second-Class Space Medals recognized:
- Salem Humaid AlMarri, for establishing and launching the UAE’s astronaut program, including the ‘Zayed Ambition 1’ mission.
- Dr. Hanan Sulaiman Al Suwaidi, for her groundbreaking role as the first Emirati medical expert specializing in astronaut care during missions.
- Engineer Adnan Al-Rais, for his leadership in managing and training astronauts for the ‘Zayed Ambition 2’ mission.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked that, “These achievements reflect the commitment of our Founding Fathers to a future rich with possibilities. Today’s honorees embody the UAE’s ambitions, paving the way for future generations to build on their legacy of excellence.”
The honorees expressed heartfelt gratitude to the UAE leadership for their recognition, emphasizing how these accolades inspire them to contribute further to the nation’s space ambitions.
The awards, conferred under Federal Law Decree No. (23) on Medals and Decorations, highlight the UAE’s commitment to fostering scientific exploration and innovation.