UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is preparing to journey back to Earth on September 1, marking the conclusion of his six-month scientific mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The announcement came from Nasa, revealing that Dr. Al Neyadi, along with three colleagues, will return in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked at the station.
As part of Nasa and SpaceX's Crew-6 mission, the four astronauts have been stationed on the ISS since March 3, 2023. During their stay, they've actively contributed to numerous experiments and technology demonstrations, spanning from student robotics challenges to plant genetics and human health research.
The undocking of their spacecraft, named Endeavour, is anticipated to take place no earlier than September 1, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida. The exact timings are yet to be confirmed, but the return journey could span up to 16 hours.
Sultan Al Neyadi's mission holds significant accomplishments, making him the second Emirati in space and the first Arab to embark on an extended space mission. He also achieved the distinction of becoming the first Arab astronaut to carry out a spacewalk, a seven-hour maintenance task.
Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, expressed pride in Dr. Al Neyadi's achievements and indicated that the astronaut would undergo medical rehabilitation upon returning to Earth. This rehabilitation will be followed by participation in various activities in the UAE before he resumes his debriefing in the United States.
Al Neyadi's successful mission is expected to pave the way for further extended space endeavors by UAE astronauts, fostering increased collaboration with Nasa, international space agencies, and companies. The UAE continues to make strides in space exploration, with four citizens in its astronaut corps and a growing presence in the global space community.
