Dubai | UAE’s Dr. Sultan Al Niadi into space. Along with Niadi, two more Saudi Arabian nationals are likely to reach space. Niadi, 41, is a former IT professional from Al Ain. Niadi will launch into space next spring aboard NASA’s Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket. It is the first “long-duration” space mission in the Arab world. Niadi’s mission is part of NASA/SpaceX Crew-6. Niadi will become the second person from the UAE to go aboard a floating science laboratory in space.
Two yet-to-be-named Saudis will join the station in the second quarter of 2023. Leaving for a two week stay. Axiom Space, a US-based space company, will help both countries secure these trips. Saudi astronauts will reach space as a team for the first time. This includes the first Arab female astronaut from Saudi Arabia. Astronauts from two different Arab countries in space together will be historically significant. Axiom Space President Michael Saffredini said that space exploration will extend Saudi’s mission to a larger part of the international community. “Space belongs to all mankind. Axiom Space is happy to train Saudi astronauts,” he said.
Prince Sultan bin Salman of Saudi Arabia was the first Arab astronaut to board the American Space Shuttle in 1985. It was short-lived. But the country did not undertake a long-term space program after that mission. It was a milestone for the Arab and Islamic world. Photos of Prince Sultan reciting the Holy Qur’an and praying in the spacecraft were circulated at the time. Later in 2019, UAE’s Hissa Al Mansoori reached space. He stayed at the station for a week and conducted 16 scientific experiments.
There are four people in the UAE team who have received space training. The other two are Muhammad Al Mulla and Noora Al Matrushi. Saudi Arabia announced on National Day, September 22, 2022, that it will start training an astronaut. With this, it was confirmed that a woman will be included in the Saudi team.
