UAE leaders hail Sultan Al Neyadi's space mission

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks of 'great pride'

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

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 capsule approaches the space station for docking. 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 SpaceX mission control room. 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

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

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

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 watches as the rocket carrying Dr Al Neyadi makes its way. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The crew monitoring their operation screens. Photo: NASA

The rear capsule. 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

Ground teams prepare the astronauts for launch. 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

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 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

Adnan Al Rais, manager of the UAE's second mission to the International Space Station, at the space centre. Sarwat Nasir / The National

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."