• UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi enters the International Space Station for the first time, on Friday. Photo: Nasa
    UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi enters the International Space Station for the first time, on Friday. Photo: Nasa
  • Dr Al Neyadi helps his fellow astronauts as they prepare to enter the space station. Photo: Nasa
    Dr Al Neyadi helps his fellow astronauts as they prepare to enter the space station. Photo: Nasa
  • Astronauts already on board the ISS prepare to receive the SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts. Photo: Nasa
    Astronauts already on board the ISS prepare to receive the SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts. Photo: Nasa
  • The Dragon capsule docks on the ISS. Photo: Nasa
    The Dragon capsule docks on the ISS. Photo: Nasa
  • The capsule approaches the space station for docking. Photo: Nasa
    The capsule approaches the space station for docking. Photo: Nasa
  • The capsule as seen from the ISS. Photo: Nasa
    The capsule as seen from the ISS. Photo: Nasa
  • The astronauts watch the docking process on their screens inside the Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa
    The astronauts watch the docking process on their screens inside the Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa
  • The SpaceX mission control room. Photo: Nasa
    The SpaceX mission control room. Photo: Nasa
  • The Dragon capsule during 'Waypoint 1' of its approach to the space station. Photo: Nasa
    The Dragon capsule during 'Waypoint 1' of its approach to the space station. Photo: Nasa
  • A photo taken from the space station shows the capsule above Earth. Photo: Nasa
    A photo taken from the space station shows the capsule above Earth. Photo: Nasa
  • The ISS as seen from the capsule. Photo: Nasa
    The ISS as seen from the capsule. Photo: Nasa
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AFP
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AFP
  • Skies above the Kennedy Space Centre lit up after the rocket lifted off. Photo: nasa
    Skies above the Kennedy Space Centre lit up after the rocket lifted off. Photo: nasa
  • A long exposure shot of the rocket hurtling towards space. AFP
    A long exposure shot of the rocket hurtling towards space. AFP
  • The Crew-6 astronauts in zero gravity after launch. Photo: NASA
    The Crew-6 astronauts in zero gravity after launch. Photo: NASA
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, watches from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre as the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off . Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, watches from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre as the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off . Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Hamdan watches as the rocket carrying Dr Al Neyadi makes its way. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Hamdan watches as the rocket carrying Dr Al Neyadi makes its way. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • The crew monitoring their operation screens. Photo: NASA
    The crew monitoring their operation screens. Photo: NASA
  • The rear capsule. Photo: NASA
    The rear capsule. Photo: NASA
  • The rocket firing. Photo: NASA
    The rocket firing. Photo: NASA
  • Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Nasa astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and the UAE's Dr Al Neyadi moments before blast-off. Photo: Nasa
    Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Nasa astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and the UAE's Dr Al Neyadi moments before blast-off. Photo: Nasa
  • Ground teams prepare the astronauts for launch. Photo: Nasa
    Ground teams prepare the astronauts for launch. Photo: Nasa
  • Dr Al Neyadi prepares to board the spacecraft. Photo: Nasa
    Dr Al Neyadi prepares to board the spacecraft. Photo: Nasa
  • The cars carrying the astronauts approach the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo: Nasa
    The cars carrying the astronauts approach the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo: Nasa
  • Maj Fedyaev, Dr Hoburg and Capt Bowen, and Dr Al Neyadi head to the launch pad. AP
    Maj Fedyaev, Dr Hoburg and Capt Bowen, and Dr Al Neyadi head to the launch pad. AP
  • Dr Al Neyadi waves to family members. AP
    Dr Al Neyadi waves to family members. AP
  • Dr Al Neyadi said he was ready to see space this morning as the Crew-6 astronauts prepared to board. AP
    Dr Al Neyadi said he was ready to see space this morning as the Crew-6 astronauts prepared to board. AP
  • UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the space centre to watch the launch. Sarwat Nasir / The National
    UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the space centre to watch the launch. Sarwat Nasir / The National
  • Adnan Al Rais, manager of the UAE's second mission to the International Space Station, at the space centre. Sarwat Nasir / The National
    Adnan Al Rais, manager of the UAE's second mission to the International Space Station, at the space centre. Sarwat Nasir / The National

UAE

UAE in Space

UAE leaders hail Sultan Al Neyadi's space mission

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks of 'great pride'

The National

March 02, 2023

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LIVE UPDATES: Sultan Al Neyadi blasts off to space

The UAE's leaders have congratulated astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi after he blasted off to space on a SpaceX rocket on Thursday.

President Sheikh Mohamed said the 41-year-old computer scientist was a source of “great pride”.

“I join the nation in congratulating Sultan Al Neyadi as he begins his pioneering mission aboard the International Space Station”, Sheikh Mohamed said.

“His inspiring achievement is a source of great pride to the UAE and another milestone in the journey of our nation and the ambitions of our people.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said Dr Al Neyadi was a true “son of the Emirates”.

Dr Al Neyadi is hurtling through space and is due to reach the International Space Station by midmorning on Friday.

Nasa will stream footage of the moment the airlock opens and the four Crew-6 astronauts including Dr Al Neyadi float into the station.

Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, who spent eight days on ISS in 2019, said he was overjoyed to see his crewmate blast-off.

"This is the first rocket launch I've seen, and I'm at a loss for words to express how happy I am to see my brother Sultan soar through the heavens," he said on Twitter.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said on Twitter: "A historic and important journey full of hope with the launch of the son of the Emirates, Sultan Al Neyadi, to board the International Space Station. All thanks to their highnesses for their unlimited trust and support."

"We have determination and will to expand the boundaries of knowledge and develop space technology stemming from the belief of the United Arab Emirates in the importance of space exploration.

"We are proud of the progress made by the Emirati astronauts in this historic and exceptional mission, and we eagerly await their arrival and learn about the developments of their journey."

Updated: March 02, 2023, 11:55 AM
Space