United Arab Emirates announced the launch of a new, long-term space mission to the International Space Station, extending to 6 months, by signing a strategic partnership agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and Axiom Space, the company specialized in manned spaceflight and the development of space infrastructure. In the United States to explore space.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, “More than five years ago, we launched the UAE Astronaut Program, and the UAE sent the first Emirati Arab astronaut on a historic trip to the International Space Station. Today, we announce a new cooperation between the UAE and the United States of America to send an Emirati astronaut on the first long-term mission aboard the International Space Station.
“A new station for the space sector in UAE with the signing of a new agreement to send the first Arab astronaut for a 180-day long mission to the International Space Station. UAE will be the 11th country in history to send a long-term mission to space. We are proud of the UAE youth,” he added.
“Our space sector and our vision for it and its projects are constantly evolving…the space mission will add new experiences and knowledge to our children and the scientific community…and the UAE, with its people, is able to achieve the impossible and go to farther horizons in space,” Mohammed bin Rashid explained.
The space cooperation aims to launch the first long-term Arab mission to the International Space Station, which will be conducted by an Emirati astronaut.
The agreement will enhance cooperation between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and NASA, as the two parties will cooperate extensively during the 6-month mission period. Four Emirati astronauts are currently receiving training at NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston, from in order to prepare them for long-range human spaceflight.
With this mission, the UAE will be one of 11 countries that were able to send astronauts on long-term missions to the International Space Station, UAE will carry the number (11) in achieving this achievement, and will also be the first Arab country to enter the space field for long flights.
To receive notification of the most important news and urgent matters, join our telegram channel through the link