UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi 'ready for next mission' after returning to Earth

Emirati, 42, is in Houston undergoing medical tests before heading home for a hero's welcome

UAE astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi spent six months aboard the ISS and travelled back to Earth on Monday. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / X

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has said he is “ready for his next mission” after returning to Earth from a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) said in a social media post on Wednesday that he had met Dr Al Neyadi and he was in “great health”.

“The first thing he said to me was, 'I am ready for the next mission',” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.

“This embodies the spirit of the UAE Astronaut Programme. I am very excited for what's next. Stay tuned.”

The Emirati astronaut is currently in Houston, Texas, undergoing medical tests before returning to the UAE to receive a hero's welcome.

Dr Al Neyadi spent six months aboard the ISS and travelled back to Earth on Monday in a SpaceX capsule, a journey that took 17 hours.

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.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Al Neyadi posted his first message after returning to Earth.

“I write to you with gravity under my feet and warmth in my heart from all the love and support you all have shared,” he wrote on X.

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

Dr Al Neyadi landed off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 8.17am UAE time on September 4.

Sultan Al Neyadi returns to Earth after six months – in pictures

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

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  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

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  Ground crew enter the SpaceX Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  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

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

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  Ground control before the mission. Photo: Nasa

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

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

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

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  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

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  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