Sultan Al Neyadi reflects on UK university days after snap of English Channel

Emirati astronaut graduated from the University of Brighton in 2004

Sultan Al Neyadi took a picture of the English Channel from space. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi / Twitter

Emirati astronaut Sultan Neyadi's memories of life as a student in the UK came flooding back after he captured the English Channel from space.

Dr Al Neyadi, who is embarking on the Arab world's first long-duration mission on the International Space Station, graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in electronics and communications engineering in 2004.

His meteoric rise has been followed with keen interest by his former university.

"Looking over the iconic English Channel, I’m reminded of my time as a student in the UK, and I’m taken back in time to moments where this waterway changed the course of history," Dr Al Neyadi, 41, tweeted on Tuesday.

Prof Debra Humphris, vice chancellor of the University of Brighton, has praised the former student's remarkable achievements.

“This is a rare and wonderful achievement by Sultan, and one that reflects a huge amount of dedication and hard work," Prof Humphris previously told The Argus, a Brighton-based newspaper.

“On behalf of everyone at the University of Brighton, we wish him the best of luck for his mission aboard the International Space Station.

"I’m incredibly proud to know that our university played an important role in his journey, and we look forward to hearing about his exploits when he returns."

A page on the university's website is dedicated to Dr Al Neyadi's exploits.

He has taken time out while journeying through space to offer insights into his passions back on Earth with his followers on social media.

Dr Al Neyadi recently shared a striking image on social media of his home town of Al Ain taken from the orbiting laboratory.

He also enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of the Gulf, pointing out capitals and countries including Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Muscat in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait, as well as the Emirates, in video taken 400km above Earth.

The recording was taken from an observation module on the station.

Dr Al Neyadi arrived on the International Space Station for a six-month mission on March 3.

He is due to make more history on April 28 as the first Arab astronaut to take part in a spacewalk.

Sultan Al Neyadi in space - in pictures

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  Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

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  On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

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  Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

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  Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter

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  Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC

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  Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

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  Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space

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  Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab

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  Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space.

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  Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa

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  Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter

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  UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC

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  UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

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  The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

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  This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)

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  Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa

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  In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)