Sultan Al Neyadi 'in good health' after returning to Earth from space

Emirati astronaut has completed his six-month mission on the International Space Station

Sultan Al Neyadi gives the thumbs up after leaving the Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi with, from left, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg and fellow US astronaut Stephen Bowen, inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule, on the recovery ship Megan, after splashdown. Photo: Nasa

Ground crew enter the SpaceX Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX capsule is lifted out of the water. Photo: Nasa

Support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon capsule shortly after splashdown. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule's parachutes are deployed to slow its descent. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule travels back towards Earth. Photo: Nasa

The International Space Station as seen by the SpaceX Dragon capsule after undocking. Photo: Nasa

The rockets of the SpaceX Dragon capsule's firing immediately after leaving the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

A graphic published by Nasa to illustrate the SpaceX Dragon capsule's trajectory immediately after leaving the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

The Dragon capsule moves away from the International Space Station after undocking. The white light in the centre is an interior light of the capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule docked on the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

Ground control before the mission. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi puts on his space suit before departing the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule being prepared for departure from the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi looks at Earth from the International Space Station before leaving. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi / Twitter

The Mubadala building in Abu Dhabi is lit up to mark Sultan Al Neyadi's return to Earth from the International Space Station. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Mubadala building is lit up to mark Sultan Al Neyadi's return to Earth from the International Space Station. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has said he is in good health after returning to Earth at the end of his historic space mission.

He spent six months on board the International Space Station and travelled back home on Monday on a SpaceX capsule.

Dr Al Neyadi is to spend several days undergoing medical tests in Houston, Texas, before he returns to the UAE to receive a hero's welcome.

"From Earth to space and back," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

"I write to you with gravity under my feet and warmth in my heart from all the love and support you all have shared.

"Thank you all for being part of this journey with me. Friends, I’m in good health and looking forward to meeting you all very soon."

This was the UAE’s second human space flight and the Arab world’s first long-term mission. Dr Al Neyadi also became the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk.

President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday congratulated Dr Al Neyadi on his return to Earth.

“Sultan Al Neyadi, the people of the UAE are immensely proud of you and the entire team for achieving major advances in space exploration,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.

“You carried the dreams of a nation to new frontiers, and we celebrate your pioneering journey and safe return."

Dr Al Neyadi carried out more than 200 science experiments aboard the ISS, including those assigned by Nasa and others set out by universities across the UAE.

He also spent time documenting Earth from above, capturing images of countries in the Mena region.

Pupils across the UAE spoke with him through live calls, as part of the A Call from Space initiative launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, which oversees the country’s astronaut programme.

Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati astronaut to travel to space, was given a hero's welcome when he returned from an eight-day mission on the ISS in 2019.

He was received by Sheikh Mohamed.

The UAE now waits to welcome Dr Al Neyadi, who floated his way into history books with his work on the orbiting outpost.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre will announce the dates of his homecoming soon.

He will then return to the US for mission debriefing, during which he will work with researchers to complete the science investigations he took part in.

He will report back on the work he did in space and participate in tests to measure the effect microgravity had on his mental and physical health.

Dr Al Neyadi will also participate in a mandatory recovery programme that will help him acclimate to gravity again.