Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wishes UAE astronaut good luck

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi speaks to Hazza Al Mansouri ahead of Wednesday's launch

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  Sheikh Mohamed speaks by the phone to Major Hazza Al Mansouri and back-up team astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi from the Sea Palace in Abu Dhabi. He is flanked by Mohammed Al Mansouri, Maj Al Mansouri's brother, (L) and Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation (R). Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

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  Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi pictured in Kazakhstan on a conference call with Sheikh Mohamed. Courtesy: Wam / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

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  L-R: Mohamed Al Mansouri, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy National Security Adviser, speak to Maj Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi ahead of the UAE's space mission . Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

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  (L-R) Jaber Al Suwaidi, General Director of the Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive and Managing Director of Mubadala, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Department of Transport and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member; and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, listen in on a phone call with the UAE's astronauts. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wished the UAE's first astronauts luck as they prepared for their mission, on Monday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed forces spoke to Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi during a phone call - also attended by Maj Mansouri's brother, Mohammed - and described the two astronauts as shining examples in the nation's development.

"The upcoming trip will make history in the skies of our nation and will cement the UAE's presence in the world of space exploration," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

"[It will be] a journey that will inspire future generations to achieve new national achievements."

He wished the astronauts well and prayed for Maj Al Mansouri's safe return. The astronaut is due to blast off from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Wednesday at 5.56pm UAE time.

On Monday, Maj Al Mansouri, the UAE's prime astronaut, said it was "an honour" to receive a call from Sheikh Mohamed.

"What we have achieved today would not have been possible without your support and the great attention you give to the UAE's youth," he said.

Dr Al Neyadi, the back-up astronaut, said the call - made just two days before the launch - inspired them to "raise the ceiling of their ambitions".

"[Founding Father Sheikh] Zayed's ambition is being carried out today by Zayed's sons," he said on Twitter.