• 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

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

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

The National

March 05, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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
    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 record-breaking feat saw 940 pupils from the Fry Campus on Reem Island take part.
  • The pupils donned self-made astronaut costumes.
    The pupils donned self-made astronaut costumes.
  • Junior pupils pose at a photo booth dressed in their 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.
    Pupils wait patiently to see if the record attempt was successful.
  • Children cheer as the new world record is announced.
    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.
    A green screen is used to make children appear as if they are aboard a spaceship.
  • More celebrations after breaking the record.
    More celebrations after breaking the record.
  • Raafat Tawfik, Guinness World Record adjudicator, was on hand to check regulations were being followed.
    Raafat Tawfik, Guinness World Record adjudicator, was on hand to check regulations were being followed.
  • More pupils pose for pictures.
    More pupils pose for pictures.
  • There were astronauts as far as the eye could see (almost).
    There were astronauts as far as the eye could see (almost).
  • School staff were on hand to make sure the astronauts behaved themselves.
    School staff were on hand to make sure the astronauts behaved themselves.
  • Mr Tawfik presents a certificate to Repton headteacher Aran Smith.
    Mr Tawfik presents a certificate to Repton headteacher Aran Smith.
  • The children were allowed to design their own astronaut helmets.
    The children were allowed to design their own astronaut helmets.
  • The children gathered in a car park.
    The children gathered in a car park.
  • Teachers ensure there are no stray astronauts.
    Teachers ensure there are no stray astronauts.
  • The record attempt created a buzz of excitement.
    The record attempt created a buzz of excitement.
Buy farm-fresh food

The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.

In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others. 

In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food. 

In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Updated: March 05, 2023, 1:56 PM
Sheikh Mohammed bin RashidNASA