The UAE's two new astronauts – including space travel's first female Arab trainee – appeared together in public on Wednesday at a press conference in Dubai.
Nora Al Matrooshi, 28, and Mohammed Al Mulla, 33, were confirmed in April as the latest members of the country's growing space corps.
The announcement was made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who said the pair would "raise the name of the UAE in the sky".
The two are now colleagues of Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati in space, and Sultan Al Neyadi.
They were chosen from 4,305 Emiratis who applied – including 1,400 female applicants.
For Nora Al Matrooshi, it is a giant leap forward for womankind.
She said securing selection was the realisation of a childhood dream.
“I first started dreaming of becoming an astronaut when my teacher in kindergarten asked us to build a tent and pretend it was a spacecraft that was taking us to the Moon. Since then I’ve become extremely passionate about becoming an astronaut,” she said.
“I’ve been working in the oil and gas field for several years, but my dream about becoming an astronaut never went away. This is a life-changing opportunity.
“The dream I’ve had since a child has come true. Now, I’ve started dreaming bigger.”
Space agencies are making progress in terms of gender equality in the space sector, which has been male-dominated since the early days of space exploration in the 1960s.
As of 2020, of more than 550 astronauts who had gone to space, only 65 were women.
The selection of the two new astronauts is a reflection of the UAE’s focus on equal opportunities for women.
Fellow astronaut no stranger to making history
Mr Al Mulla is the youngest pilot at Dubai Police and has been flying helicopters at the force for many years.
He is looking forward to being part of the UAE's space team.
“Being chosen is a huge responsibility. Nora and I will, together, make sure we represent our country as best as possible and work closely with the first batch of our astronauts to make sure we are a strong team.”
When will Nora Al Matrooshi be ready for space?
Both astronauts must undergo extensive training before they will be ready to etch their names in history alongside Maj Al Mansouri, who spent eight days aboard the International Space Station in September 2019.
UAE astronaut programme chief Salem Al Marri said Ms Al Matrooshi must first complete her 30-month training and will then be considered for space missions.
As of now, Mr Al Neyadi and Maj Al Mansouri are prime contenders for any near-future flights.
“She could fly within this decade,” Mr Al Marri told The National.
“Once she completes her training, and more importantly passes her training, she will eligible for a flight.
“If we get an earlier flight, which would be in the coming years, we would select from the candidates we have available, which would be Hazza and Sultan. If that flight is later, then we’ll have four candidates.”
Female firsts in space:
-
Women in space: Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, photographed in her space suit shortly before take off in 1963. Central Press / Getty Images -
Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova during preparations for her flight on Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. Getty Images -
Svetlana Savitskaya travelled into space in 1982 and was the first woman to perform a spacewalk. AFP -
This picture, taken by Soviet commander Vladimir Dzhanibekov, shows the first ever walk into outer space by a woman, Svetlana Savitskaya on July 25, 1984. AFP -
Sally Ride made her mark as the first American female astronaut in 1983. Nasa -
US astronaut Peggy Whitson, pictured with astronauts Scott Parazynski (left), STS-120 mission specialist, and Daniel Tani, became the first female commander of the International Space Station in 2007. Nasa -
Nasa astronauts Jessica Meir (left) and Christina Koch (right) put on their spacesuits as they prepare to leave the hatch of the International Space Station and begin the historical first-ever all-female spacewalk in 2019. Nasa -
Nasa astronaut Christina Koch conducts maintenance activities aboard the International Space Station. Ms Koch set the record for the single longest spaceflight by a woman, after spending 328 days on the ISS. Nasa -
Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to go to space in 1992. Nasa
