Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to speak to Sultan Al Neyadi on Tuesday

Ruler of Dubai to converse with Emirati astronaut live on Nasa TV

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

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, will speak to Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi on Tuesday through a live video link-up on Nasa TV.

Dr Al Neyadi, 41, arrived at the International Space Station on Friday, marking the beginning of his milestone six-month mission on the orbiting science laboratory.

During his time there, he will take part in more than 200 experiments assigned by Nasa and 19 others involving UAE universities.

Live streams and pre-recorded videos will be broadcast each week to hundreds of schools in the country, in which Dr Al Neyadi will share what life in space is like.

The talks are part of a new educational project by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the Emirates Literature Foundation.

Dr Neyadi is the second Emirati to travel into space ― after Maj Hazza Al Mansouri's eight-day stay on the ISS in 2019 — and the first Arab to undertake a long-duration mission. He could also possibly perform the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut.

At the start of Maj Al Mansouri's mission three years ago, Sheikh Mohammed spoke to him live from the ISS and also took part in a Q&A with pupils and students at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.

The live event on Tuesday from ISS Expedition 68 will take place at 4.50pm UAE time, according to Nasa's website.

On Friday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, congratulated Dr Al Neyadi on beginning his mission successfully.

"All the Emirates and Arabs stand with you as you begin your mission from inside the International Space Station," Sheikh Hamdan tweeted

"We were counting the seconds and we were looking forward to recording a new achievement that carries Zayed's ambition."

Abu Dhabi pupils soar to new astronaut world record - in pictures

Pupils at Repton School in Abu Dhabi set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as astronauts. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The record-breaking feat saw 940 pupils from the Fry Campus on Reem Island take part.

The pupils donned self-made astronaut costumes.

Junior pupils pose at a photo booth dressed in their astronaut costumes.

Pupils wait patiently to see if the record attempt was successful.

Children cheer as the new world record is announced.

A green screen is used to make children appear as if they are aboard a spaceship.

More celebrations after breaking the record.

Raafat Tawfik, Guinness World Record adjudicator, was on hand to check regulations were being followed.

More pupils pose for pictures.

There were astronauts as far as the eye could see (almost).

School staff were on hand to make sure the astronauts behaved themselves.

Mr Tawfik presents a certificate to Repton headteacher Aran Smith.

The children were allowed to design their own astronaut helmets.

The children gathered in a car park.

Teachers ensure there are no stray astronauts.

The record attempt created a buzz of excitement.