• Sultan Al Neyadi undergoes spacewalk training in Houston, Texas in 2021. He will now blast off for a six-month tour on the International Space Station in 2023. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
    Sultan Al Neyadi undergoes spacewalk training in Houston, Texas in 2021. He will now blast off for a six-month tour on the International Space Station in 2023. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter
  • Dr Al Neyadi holding a camera that is used during spacewalks. He is the astronaut going on the next space mission.
    Dr Al Neyadi holding a camera that is used during spacewalks. He is the astronaut going on the next space mission.
  • Hazza Al Mansouri, left, and Sultan Al Neyadi graduated from Nasa's training programme in May 2022, and are now eligible for space missions led by the US space agency. All photos: MBRSC
    Hazza Al Mansouri, left, and Sultan Al Neyadi graduated from Nasa's training programme in May 2022, and are now eligible for space missions led by the US space agency. All photos: MBRSC
  • Nasa has been awarding these lapel pins since 1963 to astronauts who complete basic training. The silver ones are given to those who have completed their training, but are yet to fly to space. Gold ones are awarded to astronauts who have already flown to space.
    Nasa has been awarding these lapel pins since 1963 to astronauts who complete basic training. The silver ones are given to those who have completed their training, but are yet to fly to space. Gold ones are awarded to astronauts who have already flown to space.
  • Maj Al Mansouri received the gold Nasa astronaut pin because he has already flown to space.
    Maj Al Mansouri received the gold Nasa astronaut pin because he has already flown to space.
  • Dr Al Neyadi received the silver Nasa astronaut pin. He is set to blast off for ISS in 2023.
    Dr Al Neyadi received the silver Nasa astronaut pin. He is set to blast off for ISS in 2023.
  • UAE astronauts with Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman.
    UAE astronauts with Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman.

UAE names astronaut who will spend six months on International Space Station


  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE has chosen Sultan Al Neyadi for a six-month mission to the International Space Station next year.

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the engineer and astronaut, who has spent the past four years in training.

He will lift off next spring on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre.

“I am proud to congratulate Sultan Al Neyadi on being selected as the 1st Arab astronaut to spend 6 months on the International Space Station as part of a mission to commence in 2023,” Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

This mission is a critical step toward realising the National Space Programme, making the UAE the 11th country globally to conduct a long-duration astronaut mission
Salem Al Marri,
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

“This historic milestone builds on the strong foundations of the UAE’s burgeoning space programme.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated Dr Neyadi.

The achievements of the astronaut corps has led young Emiratis to “raise their heads to the stars”, he said.

Dr Al Neyadi, 41, will serve as mission specialist on the Nasa-SpaceX Crew 6 mission, which will include Nasa astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

Born in Al Ain, Dr Al Neyadi served in the Armed Forces as a network security engineer.

The father of five has a PhD in information technology from Australia’s Griffith University and a bachelor of science degree in electronics and communication engineering from the University of Brighton in England.

Dr Al Neyadi was one of more than 4,000 candidates in the search for the country's first two astronauts in 2018.

He and Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, a fighter pilot with the Air Force, were put through intensive training in Russia for the UAE's first mission to space.

Maj Al Mansouri spent eight days on the ISS in 2019 after blasting into orbit from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

'It's a very exciting time for us'

In an earlier interview with The National, Dr Al Neyadi said that the UAE's goal for its programme is to spend more time on the space station.

“The last mission that the UAE took part in was a short flight. The training we conducted in Russia was designated to accomplish that mission, which was successful by all means,” he said.

“And now, we have a lot of things to do. The goal is to spend more time in on board the ISS, and be engaged in different activities like conducting spacewalks and maintaining the station.

“So, I think it's a very exciting time for the UAE astronaut programme.”

From 2019 to early 2022, candidates completed basic training at Nasa's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.

After they graduated, they became eligible for Nasa-led missions to space.

Sultan Al Neyadi demonstrates his jiu-jitsu skills on an empty suit during training. Photo: Supplied
Sultan Al Neyadi demonstrates his jiu-jitsu skills on an empty suit during training. Photo: Supplied

As The National reported in May, Dr Al Neyadi was a leading candidate for the next space mission.

In Houston, they learnt how to perform spacewalks, understand the ISS's systems and learn how to use the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Now, they are undergoing mission-specific training, which involves learning how to operate the Dragon Crew Capsule, which will be launch on Falcon 9 carrier rocket.

Dr Al Neyadi also posted photos of spacewalk training online, which means there is a possibility that he would venture outside the space station.

However, this depends on Nasa adding the task to the astronaut's to-do list while aboard the ISS.

If so, this will be the first Arab spacewalk.

Crew members regularly leave the orbiting laboratory to do repairs on the 20-year-old structure.

The third and fourth astronauts in the UAE's programme, mechanical engineer Nora Al Matrooshi and helicopter pilot Mohammed Al Mulla, are in earlier stages of their basic training.

Salem Al Marri, director-general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre — the organisation that oversees the country's astronaut programme — said that this latest mission will help to strengthen the UAE's relationship with Nasa.

“This mission is a critical step towards realising the National Space Programme, making the UAE the 11th country to conduct a long-duration astronaut mission,” he wrote on Twitter on Monday.

“This will strengthen co-operation with Nasa and allow us to complete long-term experiments aboard the ISS.”

The UAE purchased a seat on the Falcon 9 rocket from Axiom Space, a space infrastructure development company in Houston.

This is the Falcon 9 seat that Axiom Space was given by Nasa after the company gave up its Russian Soyuz rocket seat for American astronaut Mark Vande Hei in 2021.

MBRSC did not disclose how much they paid Axiom for the seat, but the agreement includes transport to and from the space station; comprehensive mission support; all necessary training and preparation for launch; flight operations, landing and crew rescue services.

yallacompare profile

Date of launch: 2014

Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer

Based: Media City, Dubai 

Sector: Financial services

Size: 120 employees

Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)

Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai

Pakistan World Cup squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain      

Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors

Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km

Price: from Dh199,900

On sale: now

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

Aston martin DBX specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Top speed: 291kph

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: Q2, 2020
 

Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

JAPAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The biog

Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists. 

Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.

Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic 

Updated: June 07, 2023, 4:26 PM