A Closer Look: Sultan Al Neyadi to perform Arab world’s first spacewalk

A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

The UAE is making great strides when it comes to the arena of space exploration, and this week has been packed with historic events.

On Tuesday, the UAE-build Rashid rover was aboard the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft, built by Japan's ispace, when it crash-landed on the lunar surface, failing to deliver the rover and other international payloads. It has already been announced that a second rover is in the making.

On Friday, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi will make history as the first Arab to perform a spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's Space Editor Sarwat Nasir to find out more about the UAE's, and the Middle East's, future plans around space exploration.

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A significant week for the UAE in space

Rashid rover: Heartbreak at Dubai mission control as lunar landing failed

Sultan Al Neyadi's life in space: in pictures

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC

Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab

Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)

Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa

In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)