Details of first long-duration Arab astronaut mission announced

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) shared details of the second crewed mission of the UAE Astronaut Programme to the International Space Station (ISS) at an event on Thursday.

Scheduled for launch on February 26 at 11:07am, the endeavour will be the first long-duration Arab astronaut mission.

Read: UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi to travel to space on February 26

Sultan Al Neyadi is the prime astronaut of the mission, while Hazzaa Al Mansoori is a backup crew. The mission will make the UAE the 11th country to send astronauts on a long-duration mission to the ISS as well as train them for spacewalks.

“Long-duration space missions play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of space and our ability to explore and utilise it in the future,” said Salem Al Marri, director-general of MBRSC, at the event held at the Museum of the Future.

“Five years down the line, we have not only flown the first Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori to space, but are also set to send Sultan AlNeyadi, from the first batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, into space for a period of six months.

“AlNeyadi’s mission is the next step in our vision for crewed missions for the UAE, which will be followed by Nora and Mohammed for future missions.”

Al Marri also unveiled the UAE Mission 2 patch logo while paying tribute to the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The logo of the first Arab long-duration astronaut mission has been revealed. It depicts an astronaut wearing the suit and looking at a drawing of the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father. pic.twitter.com/1DXmHwxvDv

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 2, 2023

UAE mission 2
Dubbed as Crew-6, the mission will launch aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-6, the mission will launch aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi being designated as the Mission Specialist of the Prime Crew. #UAE pic.twitter.com/coZHjWI8Iu

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 2, 2023

AlNeyadi has been designated Mission Specialist of the Prime Crew along with NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen (spacecraft commander) and Warren Hoburg (pilot) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev (Mission Specialist).

Crew-6 is part of Expedition 69, with Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub and Oleg Kononenko, and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara joining the team at later dates.

Expedition 69 will potentially continue to install the final pieces of iROSA, the roll-out solar arrays on the ISS, in addition to conducting scientific experiments and research.

The backup for Crew-6 comprises Emirati Astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency’s Andreas Mogensen and Roscosmos’ Konstantin Borisov.

Once onboard the ISS, Al Neyadi will have a heavy schedule of experiments and dedicated time for live interactions with various entities, universities and schools. During his 4,000 hours onboard ISS, Sultan AlNeyadi will conduct over 19 advanced research experiments and studies.

Mission details
Al Neyadi and Al Mansoori will undergo a two-week quarantine before launch. The astronauts of Crew-6 mission will then travel to Kennedy Space Center six days before the launch.

.. Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, Mission Specialist, Primary Crew, Crew-6, and Astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, Mission Specialist, Backup Crew, Crew-6. pic.twitter.com/1lwrAD8ELU

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 2, 2023

One day prior to the launch, the crew will don their tailored spacesuits and conduct a dry rehearsal of going up to the launch site, entering the capsule and conducting all checks to confirm everything is in order.

“This mission presents a unique chance for the UAE to contribute to the international space community and advance our understanding of the universe,” said AlNeyadi.

“We are going to space to raise the limits of our ambitions and keep the flag of the UAE flying high. All these are for future generations, for whom a promising and auspicious future awaits,” he added.

The UAE Astronaut Programme funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.