UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is set to begin his journey home to Earth on September 1, after completing a six-month science mission aboard the International Space Station.
Nasa, which announced the return date on Thursday, said a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that is docked at the station will return Dr Al Neyadi, 42 and three of his colleagues to Earth.
The four astronauts are part of the Crew-6 mission by Nasa and SpaceX, and will handover their pending duties to Crew-7, who are expected to arrive at the station next week.
"The crew has been living and working aboard the station since docking on March 3, 2023," Nasa said.
"During the mission, the crew contributed to hundreds of experiments and technology demonstrations, including student robotic challenges, plant genetics, and human health in microgravity to prepare for exploration beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit life on Earth.
"The crew’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, will undock from the space station no earlier than Friday, September 1, splashing down off the coast of Florida."
The timings of the undocking and splashdown are yet to be announced, however the journey could take up to 16 hours.
Dr Al Neyadi has become the second Emirati in space and the first Arab to go on an extended mission.
He also became the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk when he carried out a seven-hour maintenance task.
Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, told The National that they were proud of their astronaut.
“We expect to give him a hero’s welcome,” Mr Al Marri said.
“When he’s back on Earth, he’ll first go into a kind of medical rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, blood [tests] and a lot of science work that will need to be completed in those first days.
“Then he’ll come to the UAE and participate in a lot of activities before going back to the US to continue his debrief.”
Dr Al Neyadi's mission is expected to help pave the way for more extended space missions by UAE astronauts, as well as an increased partnership with Nasa and other international space agencies and companies.
The UAE has four citizens in its astronaut corps, including the first Emirati to go into space, Hazza Al Mansouri, as well as its newest members, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla.
Sultan Al Neyadi's life on the International Space Station - in pictures
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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)
