UAE in space: Astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri arrives on the ISS

The Emirati made history as he arrived at the International Space Station early on Thursday morning

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

The first Emirati astronaut was beginning his first day on board the International Space Station on Thursday after floating through the hatch at 2.20am UAE time.

Maj Hazza Al Mansouri greeted the world with a 'salaam alaikum' from the ISS, eight hours after a historic blast off from Earth.

"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."

He and fellow astronauts, Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and Nasa’s Jessica Meir, embraced the existing six crew and gathered together in front of the live stream cameras to Earth, beaming with pride.

Major Al Mansouri will stay on for eight days, returning to Earth on October 3.