Photo: Instagram.com/mbrspacecentre
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has returned to Earth safely, after making history with his six-month space mission. The remarkable feat that took place on the ISS is the longest space mission carried out by an Arab country. This also marks the second time the UAE has participated in a human space flight and the first time an Arab astronaut has performed a spacewalk.
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Al Neyadi arrived in a SpaceX Dragon capsule along with three other astronauts, who descended in the Atlantic, off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida at at 8:17am GST on Monday. “Welcome home! Crew-6 splashed down safely in the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 12:17am ET after 186 days aboard the ISS, completing important research,” Nasa announced via X.
Congratulatory messages for Al Neyadi have been pouring in from all around the country and from UAE leaders, including HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who said, “My son, Sultan Al Neyadi, thank God for your safe return to Earth after the longest Arab mission in space. Together with the national work teams, you made a historic Emirati achievement and contributed to the service of science and humanity. With all of you, our ambitions in the field of space are great and continuous. Science is our weapon, and the efforts of our children are our asset. Success is from God.”
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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai said, “We congratulate the people of the Emirates and all Arab youth on the safe return of Sultan Al Neyadi to planet Earth – the first Arab astronaut on a long mission to the International Space Station. Sultan conducted 200 scientific research missions … and spent more than 4,400 hours in space … and inspired millions of Arab youth that we are able to contribute positively to humanity’s scientific and cultural journey.”
HH Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, also shared his wishes for the astronaut via X. “Driven by Zayed’s vision, the UAE has embarked on a remarkable journey from desert to space,” he wrote. “Today, we celebrate Sultan AlNeyadi’s return to earth after the longest Arab space mission ever – a milestone moment for a nation whose ambitions know no limits. As we look towards new adventures in space, the UAE continues to pursue its vision for a brighter Arab future. We are proud of Sultan’s 200 experiments on the ISS, which further consolidate our nation’s legacy in the global space arena.”
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