Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has returned to Earth after some extraordinary achievements that have firmly placed the UAE on the global space map. The UAE now proudly stands as the first Arab nation to complete an extensive space mission, a six-month stint on the International Space Station (ISS). Al Neyadi’s historic mission involved several groundbreaking scientific experiments that have left a lasting impact on both humanity and the international scientific community.
A significant milestone
Al Neyadi earned the distinction of being the first Arab astronaut to successfully complete a spacewalk mission outside the ISS. This accomplishment occurred during the 69th mission in April, spanning approximately seven hours. Tasks included essential maintenance duties and preparations for the installation of solar panels on the station.
This feat has solidified the UAE’s space cred, landing them at the 10th spot globally for spacewalking missions outside the ISS. This reflects the persistent efforts of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) in advancing space exploration, adding yet another monumental accomplishment to the Arab world’s contributions to space exploration.
Al Neyadi clocked in at a staggering 4,000 hours of space labour. During this time, he made significant contributions to scientific and technological advancements in the UAE. Over 200 scientific experiments across a spectrum of fields chewed up around 585 hours of his time.
Collaborating with 25 local and international universities plus 10 esteemed international space agencies, Al Neyadi dived into 19 research experiments alongside the likes of NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the National Center for Space Studies in France. The result? A feather in their cap—the successful Lumina experiment, a first-of-its-kind exploration into space radiation levels aboard the ISS. Plus, they didn’t skimp on medical studies, delving deep into the cardiovascular system and unraveling the mysteries of space-induced diseases.
Al Neyadi’s journey wasn’t just about personal glory; it was a stellar opportunity to educate society about the wonders of space. The “A Call from Space” series grabbed the attention of over 10,000 folks, and they weren’t just twiddling their thumbs up there. Al Neyadi engaged in a total of 12 visual communications with the public and seven wireless chats from the MBRSC.
International collaboration
The MBRSC’s mission to the ISS, launched on March 3rd as part of the UAE Astronaut Programme, marked a historic milestone. It was the first long-term mission for Arab astronauts, with Al Neyadi arriving at the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour alongside the Crew-6 mission team.
It is worth noting that the UAE Astronaut Programme, overseen by the MBRSC, is one of the projects supported by the ICT Fund, an entity affiliated with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, aimed at fostering research and development in the ICT sector.
