![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2LEQDPZHTBHDFDPSSSFQ64KYRI.png?smart=true&auth=11e3f69f867c0a4746ea2720e140be85dce6685dfdca27403174951bccd93872&width=400&height=225)
Ground control
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXUH6PGEXJEZ5EB74PSEKIMWY4.png?smart=true&auth=4189c03c5b853074a163939191b13da9ec8e96d6fafa177c7a23bdfc20b95730&width=400&height=225)
Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi leaves the Dragon capsule and waves at the camera after a successful return from the International Space Station on May 31
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGY3OS63OZH67C3XRKNMEAGIQE.png?smart=true&auth=9193013c54003040cd3fedda42e607359db60ef6c7025d264fa230332d74e465&width=400&height=225)
Ali Al Qarni, the other Saudi astronaut on the mission, leaves the capsule and waves at the camera
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FF2RN4KTVFEWRLDAKGONVNR4BU.png?smart=true&auth=e1e9a9ee555697e9f4413f125a87a0d1dcb90e3f5dc0890d7911b0c720fedb9d&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts are helped out of the capsule
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EI2RSRNRVGL5IY2ZEJMMQS7SM.png?smart=true&auth=24604b827dc8e3e849897d744d24384caefb65e5f85f7325e0a25aa9c40158d9&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts wave as they arrive safely
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWD7B2ZHFRB4HNXHVMWUY5MPHY.png?smart=true&auth=c6c9386862f2551c0a284db1a4a23ad69e155a560826b556f1f660708f2edc67&width=400&height=225)
A picture is taken of the crew after the hatch is opened
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/THKNQ45S2ZHJTKQLA4R4P445SU.png?smart=true&auth=bc2dbc975450f048954a7f97506392651d6b052e39ab0eac478b1abad55192a2&width=400&height=225)
The capsule's hatch is opened for the first time after arrival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU47IDJQTVGMPBJVT6HBIFVKZ4.png?smart=true&auth=715a9248a629616013a31564c3519d4e3768e8996a5dc7e6738818885c0e32b1&width=400&height=225)
The boat crew preparing the capsule for opening
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/POIO7X75B5CJDMSOSOFNULWQ54.png?smart=true&auth=327075309567de26cb2f22d529a192f5be503214d028ebabbc20ff0aa3aa99e6&width=400&height=225)
The capsule being lifted onto the boat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6T7UHKVQRDQFOZGDZQQUREN7E.png?smart=true&auth=446cc9ab9b1182305a53fbef03c60f9633d062a077e9482607a5f705c2a00bc4&width=400&height=225)
The capsule being pushed towards the rescue boat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MW7L3UCJBDGXOMZ4KBVI7PMCE.png?smart=true&auth=b24664dd604fc35ebb1661998943f065c543a7ef3c780a0a885e9aa5e9784213&width=400&height=225)
The capsule resting on top of the water with rescue boats alongside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FEU6HALZ5H2VOCWBCUJL2UCHM.png?smart=true&auth=380a1d60024f1212e30f0300ecdfe16785698b01e1ac34e2a7424fa087b2d808&width=400&height=225)
Searchlights over the area the capsule splashed down
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/45WONPVXPFGKZBKYN42M3D4NRE.png?smart=true&auth=aac0185f872cecbc7383a8f26659ca0185992ffc6349acccf77089a378542b97&width=400&height=225)
The capsule carrying the astronauts splashing down in the sea
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIKXHLTYF5G2RCIMHD6DKQ33T4.png?smart=true&auth=8205d65fc17a7be7ae20371e2bb06c1ce7236a52ce79ebf8e97caaac8c73a00f&width=400&height=225)
Parachutes deploy as the capsule enters the Earth's atmosphere
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXSRI57DYRBUXBG2PRFIJQ7YHU.png?smart=true&auth=d9b5c8b8d87ae3eccc8e7b45cba5ea8110815b48a9e66162779504fb4f164b9b&width=400&height=225)
The ropes attached to the parachutes, as seen from the capsule
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WE2BGRJMU5HM7KLC2ZYDL4EXCQ.png?smart=true&auth=13a2618296208fcf657e132630b05b8528aad91ffbb4c618263cec70ba4a4b27&width=400&height=225)
The capsule reentering the Earth's atmosphere
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XZ2D4K52RREVXO5OGOFCN24WPI.png?smart=true&auth=80b151cc899a816dd588c9ca2f190052469a53742338df2aafc315d6f5481aac&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts in the capsule before splashdown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMSPQJWXCFCV7HVTVUKFJH5ECQ.png?smart=true&auth=ae4ac3c74b6f73ffc3695a94430f14cef901efeb67fcafa12356d8cabff0cf7a&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts checking their instruments on screen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2LEQDPZHTBHDFDPSSSFQ64KYRI.png?smart=true&auth=11e3f69f867c0a4746ea2720e140be85dce6685dfdca27403174951bccd93872&width=400&height=225)
Ground control
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXUH6PGEXJEZ5EB74PSEKIMWY4.png?smart=true&auth=4189c03c5b853074a163939191b13da9ec8e96d6fafa177c7a23bdfc20b95730&width=400&height=225)
Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi leaves the Dragon capsule and waves at the camera after a successful return from the International Space Station on May 31
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGY3OS63OZH67C3XRKNMEAGIQE.png?smart=true&auth=9193013c54003040cd3fedda42e607359db60ef6c7025d264fa230332d74e465&width=400&height=225)
Ali Al Qarni, the other Saudi astronaut on the mission, leaves the capsule and waves at the camera
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FF2RN4KTVFEWRLDAKGONVNR4BU.png?smart=true&auth=e1e9a9ee555697e9f4413f125a87a0d1dcb90e3f5dc0890d7911b0c720fedb9d&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts are helped out of the capsule
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EI2RSRNRVGL5IY2ZEJMMQS7SM.png?smart=true&auth=24604b827dc8e3e849897d744d24384caefb65e5f85f7325e0a25aa9c40158d9&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts wave as they arrive safely
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWD7B2ZHFRB4HNXHVMWUY5MPHY.png?smart=true&auth=c6c9386862f2551c0a284db1a4a23ad69e155a560826b556f1f660708f2edc67&width=400&height=225)
A picture is taken of the crew after the hatch is opened
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/THKNQ45S2ZHJTKQLA4R4P445SU.png?smart=true&auth=bc2dbc975450f048954a7f97506392651d6b052e39ab0eac478b1abad55192a2&width=400&height=225)
The capsule's hatch is opened for the first time after arrival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU47IDJQTVGMPBJVT6HBIFVKZ4.png?smart=true&auth=715a9248a629616013a31564c3519d4e3768e8996a5dc7e6738818885c0e32b1&width=400&height=225)
The boat crew preparing the capsule for opening
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/POIO7X75B5CJDMSOSOFNULWQ54.png?smart=true&auth=327075309567de26cb2f22d529a192f5be503214d028ebabbc20ff0aa3aa99e6&width=400&height=225)
The capsule being lifted onto the boat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I6T7UHKVQRDQFOZGDZQQUREN7E.png?smart=true&auth=446cc9ab9b1182305a53fbef03c60f9633d062a077e9482607a5f705c2a00bc4&width=400&height=225)
The capsule being pushed towards the rescue boat
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MW7L3UCJBDGXOMZ4KBVI7PMCE.png?smart=true&auth=b24664dd604fc35ebb1661998943f065c543a7ef3c780a0a885e9aa5e9784213&width=400&height=225)
The capsule resting on top of the water with rescue boats alongside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2FEU6HALZ5H2VOCWBCUJL2UCHM.png?smart=true&auth=380a1d60024f1212e30f0300ecdfe16785698b01e1ac34e2a7424fa087b2d808&width=400&height=225)
Searchlights over the area the capsule splashed down
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/45WONPVXPFGKZBKYN42M3D4NRE.png?smart=true&auth=aac0185f872cecbc7383a8f26659ca0185992ffc6349acccf77089a378542b97&width=400&height=225)
The capsule carrying the astronauts splashing down in the sea
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIKXHLTYF5G2RCIMHD6DKQ33T4.png?smart=true&auth=8205d65fc17a7be7ae20371e2bb06c1ce7236a52ce79ebf8e97caaac8c73a00f&width=400&height=225)
Parachutes deploy as the capsule enters the Earth's atmosphere
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXSRI57DYRBUXBG2PRFIJQ7YHU.png?smart=true&auth=d9b5c8b8d87ae3eccc8e7b45cba5ea8110815b48a9e66162779504fb4f164b9b&width=400&height=225)
The ropes attached to the parachutes, as seen from the capsule
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WE2BGRJMU5HM7KLC2ZYDL4EXCQ.png?smart=true&auth=13a2618296208fcf657e132630b05b8528aad91ffbb4c618263cec70ba4a4b27&width=400&height=225)
The capsule reentering the Earth's atmosphere
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XZ2D4K52RREVXO5OGOFCN24WPI.png?smart=true&auth=80b151cc899a816dd588c9ca2f190052469a53742338df2aafc315d6f5481aac&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts in the capsule before splashdown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMSPQJWXCFCV7HVTVUKFJH5ECQ.png?smart=true&auth=ae4ac3c74b6f73ffc3695a94430f14cef901efeb67fcafa12356d8cabff0cf7a&width=400&height=225)
The astronauts checking their instruments on screen
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2LEQDPZHTBHDFDPSSSFQ64KYRI.png?smart=true&auth=11e3f69f867c0a4746ea2720e140be85dce6685dfdca27403174951bccd93872&width=400&height=225)
Ground control
Saudi Arabia boosts space education after success of ISS mission
New scholarship programme aims to give pupils access to space majors in world's top universities
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
19 June, 2023
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