Emirati Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Called Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid From Space

Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, held a live video call to astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in space. Sheikh spoke to Al Neyadi from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai to the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Al Neyadi’s crew of six landed in space after a flight of 24 hours in the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. They are on a mission to conduct several experiments at the station. 

An Initiative To UAE’s Longest Space Mission

UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi and his crew landed at the International Space Station. Sultan Al Neyadi addressed the UAE leaders on Tuesday, and the conversation was broadcast live on NASA TV via a live video link-up.

Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the team for their safe arrival, saying, “We are thankful you have reached the International Space Station, and thank God for your safety. I would like to let you know that the youth of the UAE and Arab world are taking you as an example and wish you all the luck”. He added that the UAE is proud of this achievement and talked about the accomplishments made by the UAE.

During the call, Sheikh Mohamed inquired about the experiments the team would conduct at the station. Al Neyadi talked about his initial days abroad at the space station. He said that the crew would spend six months at the station to take part in several science experiments. He talked about how his body is coping with the microgravity at the station. He also showed how Suhail, the UAE Astro toy, is floating inside the Space Station. He expressed his gratitude to all the UAE leaders for their constant support. He also commented on their eagerness to equip the youth with the knowledge that would help them to march towards the goal of global development.

Astronaut Sultan Al Neyad, UAE’s second man to travel into space 

Sultan Al Neyadi, who launched at the International Space Station, becomes the UAE’s second man to travel into space. Hazza Al-Mansouri was the first man to travel to space from the UAE in 2019 for eight days. Al Neyadi, who is 41 years old, would be the first Arab astronaut to spend six months at the International Space Station. 

The crew of Sultan Al Neyadi was given a welcome ceremony at the station, which was followed by a security briefing and an orientation programme. They are planning to carry out some innovative and new scientific research that is aimed at preparing human exploration beyond low-earth orbit and advancing life on earth. The programme will be conducted by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and others involving the UAE.

In the conversation with astronaut Al Neyadi, Sheikh Mohammed commented on how the UAE has set an example for how to create a better future for the coming generations. He also emphasized UAE’s policies that always led the focus on sharing knowledge, and education and utilizing technology to open new doors. Sheikh Mohamed also talked about how they began their journey fifty years ago from the desert without much technical assistance and how they reached heights flying their flag in space. 

UAE’s efforts to achieve global prominence began with the establishment of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in 2006. It started functioning with five engineers who were committed to developing their capabilities and expanding their knowledge in the field of space. It was followed by the creation of the UAE Space Agency, the National Space Agency, and several other programmes to train the youth in scientific and space-related fields. 

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🔹Zayed Ambition 2:Hamdan bin Mohammed Watches The Historic Launch Of Space Mission

It all began with Shaik Zayed bin Sultan, the founding father of the UAE, who dreamed of engraving the UAE’s name not only on earth but also in the sky. In the 1970s Zayed held meeting with American astronauts and discussed his vision to empower the UAE in the field of space and research. 

On September 25, 2019, UAE marked its first milestone in the field of space and research by sending Astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori to the International Space Station( ISS). He embarked on the UAE’s first scientific mission; the mission carried the slogan “Zayed’s Ambition”. Thus, UAE became the first country in the Arab region to travel to the ISS. On his mission, Al Mansoori conducted 31 scientific experiments, of which 16 were conducted in cooperation with international agencies, including NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). 

The other members who were present at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai at the time of the call were HE Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, HE Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi , HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, and HE Salem Humaid Al Marri.