Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum expressed his delight and pride over two Emirati astronauts and their accomplishments in their field. He sees this development as the start of a journey towards national development.
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The Crown Prince of Dubai also commended the MBRSC’s important role in realizing the UAE’s ambition to establish its presence as a leader in the space industry through its efforts to support the “UAE Space Programme” as well as the “National Space Policy.”
Sheikh Hamdan Proud of UAE’s Two Astronauts
Sheikh Hamdan extended his well wishes to the two Emirati astronauts as well as to the UAE Space Programme, citing this achievement shared by all Emiratis and the nation. He also used this opportunity to encourage his countrymen to continue to aspire for excellence and to establish leadership in the various fields they choose to be part of.
Addressing the two Emirati astronauts, Sultan Al Niyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri, who were chosen by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to become part of the UAE Astronaut Programme, Sheikh Hamdan took his delight to Twitter, saying: “We are proud of you, and of the efforts of MBRSC to fly the UAE’s flag high in the sky. A new Emirati record will be set in space.”
The countdown has begun and UAE’s space dreams are set to be a reality soon. I’m so proud of Sultan Al Niyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri; our nation is looking forward to seeing the first Emirati astronauts onboard the International Space Station on 5th of April 2019. @MBRSpaceCentre pic.twitter.com/eGGZdmEPQq
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 8, 2018
Al Mansouri and Al Niyadi are currently taking part in an especially-designed intensive training program at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. Once training and preparations have been completed, one of the two Emirati astronauts will be tasked to suit up for an 11-day space mission by Russia to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft on 5 April 2019.
The intensive training deals with the processes which follow the launch of a spacecraft and rockets; adapting to their roles in the team carrying the mission procedure; familiarizing themselves with the control panels; undergoing survival training courses, troubleshooting emergencies on board, as well as getting a grasp of the Russian language.
After completing their training at the Yuri Gagarin Centre, the two astronauts will continue their training from the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA regarding their mission at the ISS.
Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs and Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme at MBRSC, Engr. Salem Humaid Al Marri,shared that the astronauts’ deployment to the ISS, along with the foundations of their training for the journey to get there, signifies a crucial development in the UAE Astronaut Programme.
Al Marri further explained that the MBRSC is holding onto a number of projects that it plans to launch. With the experience and training gained by Al Niyadi and Al Mansouri on advanced levels of space science, the MBRSC and those who wish to follow the footsteps of the two Emirati astronauts will greatly benefit from the transfer of this new technology in this sector, Al Marri explained.
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