Emirati Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Presents UAE Flag to HH Sheikh Mohammed

On Wednesday 1st November, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, hailed the Zayed Ambition 2 team of astronauts and workers from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) at Za’abeel Palace in Dubai. The Emirati astronaut having completed the Expedition 69 mission returned from space on September 18.

“We value each accomplishment of our brightest minds in advancing the country’s journey towards progress and innovation,” the Prime Minister said during the gathering held at Za’abeel Palace in Dubai. The special event came a day after the entire space team also met the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Hazza Al Mansoori, who became the first Emirati astronaut to go to space in 2019, accompanied Sultan Al Neyadi on Expedition 69, as his Increment Lead, ensuring the seamless integration and execution of crew activities.

“The commitment of AlNeyadi and AlMansoori serves as an inspiring model for Emirati and Arab youth, as well as young people worldwide, striving to attain the highest levels of excellence in crucial fields that benefit humanity and shape a better future for the world,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

In their meeting, Sultan Al Neyadi presented HH Sheikh Mohammed with the Emirati flag he had taken with him to the International Space Station, elegantly framed for display. This heartfelt gesture coincided perfectly with the upcoming UAE Flag Day celebration on November 3.

During his mission, he dedicated 600 hours to conducting 200 experiments on the International Space Station and achieved the distinction of becoming the first Arab astronaut to complete a spacewalk lasting 6.5 hours.

The ‘Zayed Ambition 2’ team of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) also briefed the UAE Vice-President on the latest training programmes that astronauts Mohammad AlMulla and Nora Al Matrooshi are going through to prepare for future spaceflight missions. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, chairman of the MBRSC, thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for his full support, which has played a significant role in the achievements that have strengthened the UAE’s global presence in the space sector.

“In alignment with the ever-changing dynamics of the space sector, we remain committed to nurturing our teams, promoting innovation, and paving the way for the next frontier,” Al Mansoori said.