UAE's space 'journey will never halt': 4 years ago today, the first Emirati astronaut blasted off to ISS

Four years ago today, the UAE blasted off on a historic space mission, a journey that would realise the dream of thousands. On September 25, 2019, astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori embarked on the UAE's first scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Today, the UAE is a leader in space exploration in the region, with Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi recently concluding the Arab world's longest space mission. He also became the first Arab to perform a spacewalk.

Posting on its social media channels, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre commemorated the day, vowing that "the journey will never halt".

AlMansoori and AlNeyadi were the first to be chosen from a pool of over 4,000 aspiring astronauts in 2018. In preparation for the mission to the ISS, AlMansoori and AlNeyadi underwent training specifically designed to suit the requirements and duration of the mission. The exercises were conducted in various countries as part of partnership agreements that MBRSC signed with major space agencies, including Roscosmos, NASA, ESA, and JAXA.

AlMansoori became the first Emirati in space when, in 2019, he embarked on the UAE's first scientific mission to the ISS. With that, UAE became the 19th country worldwide and the first country in the Arab region to travel to the ISS.

The second batch of astronauts is ready and were selected from 4,305 applicants. Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla are currently undergoing training for their space missions.

The UAE astronaut programme, launched in 2017, is carried out under the slogan 'Zayed's Ambition', to pay homage to the founding father of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who envisioned the country to be at the forefront of scientific achievements.

• Saudi mission to blast off to ISS today carrying first female Arab astronaut to space