UAE announces first two astronauts to go to International Space Station
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday announced the first two Emirati astronauts, to go on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum announced Hazza al-Mansouri, 34, and 37-year-old Sultan al-Neyadi, who were selected from over 4,000 candidates that applied for the UAE astronaut programme, as the first two Emirati astronauts.
In 2017, Sheikh Mohammed had vowed to send four Emirati astronauts to the space station within five years.
Also Read | Kremlin rejects Macron's claim Putin wants to 'dismantle' EU
Mansouri and Neyadi, who were chosen after a rigorous six-stage vetting procedure, will be trained in Russia and one of them will be joining a crew of a Russian commander and an American astronaut in Soyuz MS-12 spaceflight, which is planned to launch in April 2019.
The UAE has its sights set on space with a programme worth 20 billion dirhams (USD 5.4 billion), according to Sheikh Mohammed.
The first Arab in outer space was Saudi Arabia’s Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud, who flew on a US shuttle mission in 1985.
Also Read | Massive fire hit Brazil’s 200-year old National Museum
In the long-term, the UAE says it is planning to build a “Science City” to replicate life on Mars and aims to create the first human settlement on the red planet by 2117.
(With inputs from agencies)
For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
More from World
EUFSC President Konstantin Ishkhanov “Thrilled†to Announce Opening of InClassica Festival in Dubai
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise Set to Begin Between Indian Navy and Saudi Arabia Navy
Excellent job by India in reducing COVID-19 related deaths by clamping lockdown: Indian-American doc
Pak summons Indian diplomat over expulsion of 2 High Commission officials on espionage charges
Trump postpones G7 summit, wants India, others to join group