Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri in training at the Russian Yuri Gagarin Center in preparation for a historic trip to the International Space Station on April 5, 2019.
Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri in training at the Russian Yuri Gagarin Center in preparation for a historic trip to the International Space Station on April 5, 2019.
Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri in training at the Russian Yuri Gagarin Center in preparation for a historic trip to the International Space Station on April 5, 2019.
Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri in training at the Russian Yuri Gagarin Center in preparation for a historic trip to the International Space Station on April 5, 2019.

UAE's first astronauts enter training ahead of historic space journey


Chris Maxwell
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE's first astronauts are preparing for a history-making journey to the International Space Station.

Hazza Al Mansouri, 34, and Sultan Al Neyadi, 37, have entered the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, north east of Moscow.

While there, they will undergo a rigorous training programme to prepare them for a voyage aboard a Soyuz rocket to the ISS in April.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared the first picture of the pair taking part in training exercises.

He hailed them for helping the Emirates become a global player in the international space community.

"We are very proud of you and the good efforts of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to raise the name of the UAE and this time a new Emirati achievement will be recorded in space," Sheikh Hamdan said.

Relaxed and happily posing for the picture, the Emiratis looked ready and equipped to embrace the challenge. Both have strong credentials which helped them see-off stiff competition from thousands of candidates to win their unique place in the UAE's space programme.

Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri were selected from thousands of Emiratis to be the first to go into space. They are training in Russia ahead one of the two journeying to the International Space Station in April.
Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza al Mansouri were selected from thousands of Emiratis to be the first to go into space. They are training in Russia ahead one of the two journeying to the International Space Station in April.

One of the two will be chosen to go on the mission in a matter of months.

During their training they will be exposed to high gravitational speeds that will replicate the journey to space.

They will also undergo diving exercises lasting hours to prepare them for working on the ISS's unique environment, and potentially outside in space.

Mr Al Mansouri is no stranger to hurtling at high speeds as he pilots the UAE Air Force's F-16, one of the most advanced fighter jets.

The aviation graduate at Khalifa bin Zayed Aviation College has amassed more than 14 years of high-octane experience.

Mr Al Seyadi also brings plenty of skills to the table, having worked for the UAE military for many years.

He holds a doctorate in information technology, specialising in data leak prevention, from Griffith University in Queensland. He also studied at the University of Brighton in the UK.

According to his biography, Mr Al Seyadi participated in international conferences and his research papers have been published in international journals.

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Read more:

Countdown to history: The inside story of how the UAE landed its first place in space

UAE astronaut candidates begin intensive physical testing in Russia

We have lift-off: UAE's Khalifa Sat to be launched into space

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
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Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

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While you're here
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

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Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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Moon Music

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Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5