Emirati astronauts to train at NASA for future space missions, including space walk
Four astronauts including Hazzaa and Sultan undergo training at the Johnson Space Centre
Emirati astronauts Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan AlNeyadi will start training this at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this year in preparation for future space missions, including space walks and long duration station missions, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBSRC) announced on Monday night.
His Highness Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted on Monday: “We are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with @NASA to train UAE astronauts for potential missions to the International Space Station, including space walks & long duration station missions. The program will train our youth and astronauts for future missions.”
AlMansoori, the first Emirati astronaut who went to space, replied: “We are ready Your Highness. Thank you for your valuable trust and support. Today, we will start a new phase of training and preparations for future space missions to achieve the UAE Astronaut Programme’s goals and serve the development and growth of our beloved nation.”
Reserve astronaut AlNeyadi also replied to Sheikh Mohammed’s tweet: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your limitless support and enabling us to turn our ambitions into reality. We are always and forever committed to our nation’s development. We promise to make the most of our training and future space missions.”
Future space missions
Under the agreement, four Emirati astronauts will be provided advanced training. AlMansoori and AlNeyadi are already in the US while two more astronauts will be selected from the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme who will join the 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class.
The training programme will prepare Emirati astronauts physically and psychologically for future space missions. Under the programme,the astronauts will be trained to manage various missions on the International Space Station, including simulated spacewalks and long duration stay, along with training in major systems, robotics, extravehicular activity, T-38 jet courses, water and land survival, Russian language skills and theoretical training. The UAE’s participation in the NASA training programme reflects the global reputation of the country’s space sector and its leadership among spacefaring nations.
