The United Arab Emirates announced the names of two new Emirati astronauts who will form the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, including the first female Arab.
Announcing this, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “Today, we announce two new Emirati astronauts, among them the first female Arab astronaut – Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla.
“They were selected from more than 4,000 applicants and their training will soon begin for international space flights. We congratulate them and count on them to raise the name of the UAE ever higher in space.”
The two new astronauts join astronauts Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi to form a team of four under the UAE Astronaut Programme at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre base.
Al Matrooshi obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UAE University in 2015 and excelled in the fields of engineering and mathematics during her academic years. She was placed first in the UAE for the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad and represented the UAE in the Youth Conference at the United Nations in the summer of 2018 and winter of 2019.
Al Mulla, who became the youngest pilot in Dubai Police after obtaining a commercial pilot’s license from the Australian Civil Aviation Authority at age 19. He then becoming the youngest trainer in the same organisation after getting his pilot trainer license from GCAA at age 28. He also has a bachelor’s degree in law and economics that he earned in 2015.
Al Mulla, who has received the Bravery Medal from Sheikh Mohammed apart from the Dubai Police Global Excellence Award, is currently the Head of Training Department of the Air Wing Centre at Dubai Police.
“We continue on our journey to script a new scientific history for the Arab region in the field of space exploration, which was launched thanks to the vision of our wise leadership. The UAE Astronaut Programme is central to achieving this ambitious vision. Nothing is impossible and the ambition of young Emiratis must go beyond the limits of space,” said Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General, MBRSC.
It was also revealed that the national space sector recorded investments of more than AED22 billion over the past few years.
“The team at MBRSC has worked tirelessly after receiving applications to evaluate them according to specific criteria and standards, and then conducted successive evaluations to ensure the selection of the best candidates,” said Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs and Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme, MBRSC.
“The second batch of the Astronaut Programme is also distinguished by the presence of the first female Emirati and Arab astronaut. The UAE, which has always been a pioneer across different fields, has once again proven its resolve to work diligently for both its young men and women. Emirati women are more confident of their abilities and limitless capabilities, as ascertained by female candidates making up 33% of the applicants for the programme.”
The two astronauts will also join the ‘2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class’, as part of a joint strategic agreement between the UAE and the United States of America, to train them at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
They will be trained in human spaceflight, research and space flight control, and will also be trained to carry out missions in low orbit, using the Human Exploration Research Analog, a unique three-story habitat designed to serve as an analog for isolation, confinement, and remote conditions in exploration scenarios.
They will be trained to manage various missions on the International Space Station, including simulated spacewalks and long duration stay, training in major systems, robotics, extravehicular activity, T-38 jet courses, water and land survival and theoretical training.
The UAE Astronaut Programme received 4,305 applications for the second batch. The applicants underwent several phases of evaluation and qualification in accordance with international standards.
