Space X shared this image of their spacecraft being moved into position ahead of blast-off on Monday. Photo: SpaceX
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi (second to right) and his crew mates completed a rehearsal of their launch day on February 24, 2023. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX also completed a crucial static fire test - a ground test where the rocket's engines are fired. Photo: SpaceX
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HNXVWC7KIJAJHHC42QNORDHYNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=652ddd30a997f29782b83ba1fd333f2400b87970b30ba55c33693bdc7dbd7e31&width=400&height=225)
Right to left, UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, Nasa astronaut Stephen Bowen, Nasa astronaut Woody Hoburg and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev seen during their launch rehearsal. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDREA2MCPNHITGKTYSQ32XLWDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=925b3165632acf5b5722fdfaa2f1e9be3e82d308c3e6a5222bc2055e8f0738ee&width=400&height=225)
The launch rehearsal process involved donning their SpaceX pressure suits, riding Teslas to the launch pad and boarding an unfuelled rocket. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HQHSHVIAHVDFZB6YUI334ZN2XM.jpg?smart=true&auth=120b1dd3dfd8750d0b58d9d8ed542685edb7e7d75a006790e72ff4674fb0167c&width=400&height=225)
The crew get into their Teslas to go to the launch pad as part of a rehearsal. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BUCJDJP7R5AS7NXE2J2ARWSJPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=87e61f31bf7db80be16df227ffe85b378169015c893e7655fe4c8be2a3a14918&width=400&height=225)
Dr Al Neyadi is going on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2GR5ZSYJ4JFS5MZP7EL2CWN6RQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=402fce1108911d8d4584e12ca34cc81e4ea8243354087a60b29edd1366727f74&width=400&height=225)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the Crew-6 astronauts on February 27, 2023, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Photo: Nasa
This SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew-6 astronauts, including UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi, from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida next week. Photo: Nasa
The rocket was into position for an engine firing test on February 25 and a launch attempt on February 27. 2023. Photo: Nasa
This will be the first time an Arab astronaut rides on a SpaceX rocket.
Space X shared this image of their spacecraft being moved into position ahead of blast-off on Monday. Photo: SpaceX
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi (second to right) and his crew mates completed a rehearsal of their launch day on February 24, 2023. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX also completed a crucial static fire test - a ground test where the rocket's engines are fired. Photo: SpaceX
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HNXVWC7KIJAJHHC42QNORDHYNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=652ddd30a997f29782b83ba1fd333f2400b87970b30ba55c33693bdc7dbd7e31&width=400&height=225)
Right to left, UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, Nasa astronaut Stephen Bowen, Nasa astronaut Woody Hoburg and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev seen during their launch rehearsal. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RDREA2MCPNHITGKTYSQ32XLWDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=925b3165632acf5b5722fdfaa2f1e9be3e82d308c3e6a5222bc2055e8f0738ee&width=400&height=225)
The launch rehearsal process involved donning their SpaceX pressure suits, riding Teslas to the launch pad and boarding an unfuelled rocket. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HQHSHVIAHVDFZB6YUI334ZN2XM.jpg?smart=true&auth=120b1dd3dfd8750d0b58d9d8ed542685edb7e7d75a006790e72ff4674fb0167c&width=400&height=225)
The crew get into their Teslas to go to the launch pad as part of a rehearsal. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BUCJDJP7R5AS7NXE2J2ARWSJPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=87e61f31bf7db80be16df227ffe85b378169015c893e7655fe4c8be2a3a14918&width=400&height=225)
Dr Al Neyadi is going on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2GR5ZSYJ4JFS5MZP7EL2CWN6RQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=402fce1108911d8d4584e12ca34cc81e4ea8243354087a60b29edd1366727f74&width=400&height=225)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the Crew-6 astronauts on February 27, 2023, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Photo: Nasa
This SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew-6 astronauts, including UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi, from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida next week. Photo: Nasa
The rocket was into position for an engine firing test on February 25 and a launch attempt on February 27. 2023. Photo: Nasa
This will be the first time an Arab astronaut rides on a SpaceX rocket.
Space X shared this image of their spacecraft being moved into position ahead of blast-off on Monday. Photo: SpaceX
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi to have butter chicken as last meal before spaceflight
Nasa gives green light to launch on Monday, with systems normal and weather good
![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
26 February, 2023
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