• Hazza Al Mansouri, shortly after arriving back on Earth. Photo: MBRSC
    Hazza Al Mansouri, shortly after arriving back on Earth. Photo: MBRSC
  • Hazza Al Mansouri wears an Emirati kandura on board the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Hazza Al Mansouri wears an Emirati kandura on board the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri takes live Q&A from space and gives a tour of ISS. Screengrab via Youtube Live
    Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri takes live Q&A from space and gives a tour of ISS. Screengrab via Youtube Live
  • Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid talks with Emirati astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, during a live satellite feed from the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid talks with Emirati astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, during a live satellite feed from the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Hazza Al Mansouri answers questions from Emirati students studying in Japan during a live session on Monday. Photo: Jaxa
    Hazza Al Mansouri answers questions from Emirati students studying in Japan during a live session on Monday. Photo: Jaxa
  • One of the pictures Hazza Al Mansouri took while onboard the International Space Station. Photo: Hazza Al Mansouri
    One of the pictures Hazza Al Mansouri took while onboard the International Space Station. Photo: Hazza Al Mansouri
  • Hazza Al Mansouri having breakfast aboard the International Space Station. The UAE's first astronaut received the Nasa Distinguished Public Service Medal in recognition of his service. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Hazza Al Mansouri having breakfast aboard the International Space Station. The UAE's first astronaut received the Nasa Distinguished Public Service Medal in recognition of his service. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomes Hazza Al Mansouri to Abu Dhabi. Wam
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomes Hazza Al Mansouri to Abu Dhabi. Wam
  • Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, presents a certificate to Astronaut Major Hazza Al Mansouri at Khalifa University Graduation Ceremony at Emirates Palace in 2019. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, presents a certificate to Astronaut Major Hazza Al Mansouri at Khalifa University Graduation Ceremony at Emirates Palace in 2019. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • UAE astronauts Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi tell of their experiences on the UAE space mission during a press conference in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
    UAE astronauts Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi tell of their experiences on the UAE space mission during a press conference in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Maj Hazza Al Mansouri with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
    Maj Hazza Al Mansouri with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
  • UAE's first astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri inside the Kibo lab on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Jaxa
    UAE's first astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri inside the Kibo lab on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Jaxa
  • Hazza Al Mansouri was the first person from the United Arab Emirates to go into space. National Geographic
    Hazza Al Mansouri was the first person from the United Arab Emirates to go into space. National Geographic
  • Hazza Al Mansouri (left) and Sultan Al Neyadi carried the hopes of a nation as they prepared to venture into space. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
    Hazza Al Mansouri (left) and Sultan Al Neyadi carried the hopes of a nation as they prepared to venture into space. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturday. Wam
    Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturday. Wam
  • Hazza Al Mansouri is tended to by ground crews. Nasa / Youtube screengrab
    Hazza Al Mansouri is tended to by ground crews. Nasa / Youtube screengrab
  • Hazza Al Mansouri posted the image of the Soyuz to his Twitter page.
    Hazza Al Mansouri posted the image of the Soyuz to his Twitter page.

First UAE astronaut to reunite with crew from historic space mission in Dubai


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

The first Emirati in space will reunite with the crew from his historic flight at a conference in Dubai in October.

Maj Hazza Al Mansouri and the crew from Expedition 61 will be together again at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) at Dubai World Trade Centre, held from October 25 to 29.

IAC said the event will celebrate the achievements of the Expedition 61 crew.

Astronauts from four different countries were part of the mission, for which four separate space agencies collaborated.

Maj Al Mansouri made history in 2019 when he became the first Emirati in space.

“We are delighted to host 72nd edition of the International Astronautical Congress for the first time in the Arab world and in the UAE,” said Pascale Ehrenfreund, the president of the International Astronautical Federation.

“We look forward to sharing ideas and networking with like-minded people and peers from the region and the world.

“We remain committed to the exchange of knowledge and expertise to find solutions in matters relating to space and humanity.”

Updated: August 30, 2021, 6:50 AM