UAE's astronauts pictured during space training in Russia

The UAE's first astronauts have begun simulation training ahead of their history-making journey to the International Space Station next April. Photographs of Hazza Al Mansouri, 34, and Sultan Al Neyadi, 37, were shared by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on Tuesday. The two Emiratis were pictured giving thumbs up, during simulation training, inside the Russian Soyuz spacecraft at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow, Russia. The pair are undergoing a rigorous training programme to prepare them for a voyage aboard a Soyuz rocket to the ISS. During their training they will be exposed to high gravitational speeds that will replicate the journey to space. They will also undergo diving exercises lasting hours to prepare them for working on the ISS's unique environment, and potentially outside in space. Both Mr Al Mansouri and Mr Al Neyadi have strong credentials which helped them see-off stiff competition from thousands of candidates to earn their places in the UAE's space programme. Mr Al Mansouri is a former pilot of the UAE Air Force's F-16, one of the most advanced fighter jets. Mr Al Seyadi also brings plenty of skills to the table, having worked for the UAE military for many years. ________________ Read more: UAE's first astronauts enter training ahead of historic space journey Countdown to history: The inside story of how the UAE landed its first place in space UAE astronaut candidates begin intensive physical testing in Russia

UAE's astronauts pictured during space training in Russia

Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi are undergoing training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow