The first Emirati astronaut in space greeted the world with a 'salaam alaikum' as he prepared to clamber aboard the International Space Station, eight hours after a historic blast off from Earth.
Maj Hazza Al Mansouri spoke to mission control as he waited for the air lock between Soyuz MS-15 and the ISS to open at 2.20am UAE time.
"We are grateful to have reached the ISS and ilhamdillah everything is good," he said in Arabic.
"The Earth is beautiful from this place. It is small but I can see a small part of it.
"God protect you. Send my regards to the people of the UAE."
Dr Ahmad Al Falasi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, returned his message from Baikonur Cosmodrome, where the Soyuz rocket launched from at 5.57pm UAE time.
"Hazza, this is Ahmad Al Falasi, we send you greetings from ll the people here in Baikonur and in the UAE," said Dr Al Falasi, also Minister of State for Higher Education.
"The way you can see the Earth completely, all Emiratis can you see completely. You have raised our heads high, congratulations."
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ISS crew members Jessica Meir of the US, Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazza Al Mansouri of the UAE walk to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters -
The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-15 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. AP Photo -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket blasts off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) blasts off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-15 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhsta. AP Photo -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket flies moments after blasting off to the ISS. AFP -
The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) flies moments after blasting off. AFP -
The Russian Soyuz booster rocket FG with Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft lifts off from the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. EPA -
The astronauts give a final wave as they ascend the steps of the Soyuz. Maxim Shipenkov / AFP -
The three astronauts ascend the steps of the Soyuz. Maxim Shipenkov / AFP -
Jessica Meir, Oleg Skripochka and Hazza Ali Al Mansouri approach the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters -
Russian Space Agency experts help Hazza Al Mansouri, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station, to sit during an inspection of his space suit prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship on Wednesday. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
US astronaut Jessica Meir has her space suit inspected ahead of the launch. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Russian Space Agency experts help Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka stand up after inspecting his space suit. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Oleg Skripochka has his space suit inspected before launch. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Jessica Meir waves prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri throws up the three-fingered hand signal synonymous with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and that stands for 'winning, victory and love'. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves prior the launch of Soyuz MS-15 space ship. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves to relatives from a bus prior to the launch of the Soyuz rocket at 5.56pm. Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. AFP -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. EPA -
His sons and daughter shared a final moment together, pressing their hands against the class of the bus before the crew left for the launchpad. AFP -
Hazza Al Mansouri holds up the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre crest. mission. AFP -
Hazza Al Mansouri, Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir leave a hotel and board a bus to the launch pad. They are scheduled to blast off for ISS at 5.56pm UAE time. EPA -
Hazza Al Mansouri, Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir wave to crowds as they leave for the launch pad. EPA -
Hazza Al Mansouri with cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir, who is part of the landmark first all-female spacewalk. -
Hazza Al Mansouri waves to crowds as they leave for the launch pad. EPA
Next steps
In his eight days Maj Al Mansouri will perform a series of experiments, question-and-answer sessions with young people in the UAE and present a live tour of the station in Arabic. He will also undergo brief medical experiments to study the effects of space on his body.
After docking about midnight the Soyuz hatch will open at 2am, allowing the crew on to the ISS.
During his eight-day trip, Maj Al Mansouri will make dinner for his crew mates with traditional Emirati food flown up in cans.
- Thursday, September 26, he will carry out a series of science in space experiments and take part in a short radio call at 11.33pm
- Friday, September 27, experiments include time perception in microgravity and a live session at 2.30pm UAE time lasting about 20 minutes
- Saturday, September 28, science in space experiments followed by a cardiovector session. This is a study that astronauts undergo to understand more about cardiology in space and the stresses placed on the body
- Sunday, September 29 - tour of the station in Arabic. Space chiefs hope to educate and inspire millions of young Arabs as Maj Al Mansouri takes them around the ISS. There will also be a live chat session between 2.40pm and 3pm
- Monday, September 30, another live session at 4.14pm, followed by further experiments
- Tuesday, October 1, a further live session with young people followed by experiments involving fluids in space
- Wednesday, October 2, more experiments and preparations for the Soyuz craft to undock
- Thursday, October 3, undock at 11.36am to descend to Earth. Maj Al Mansouri will return to Earth, landing at one of three sites in Kazakhstan about 4pm UAE time.
On board the ISS already are Russians Alexey Ovchinin and Alexander Skvortsov, Nasa astronauts Christina Koch, Nick Hague and Andrew Morgan and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano.
Hague and Ovchinin are scheduled to wrap up a mission of more than 200 days on October 3 and return to Earth with Maj Al Mansouri.
