UAE’s Sultan Al Neyadi converses with Sheikh Mohammed from space

Emirati astronaut, Sultan Al Neyadi, conversed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on a live video call from space.

Al Neyadi, who is currently undertaking the longest Arab space mission on the International Space Station (ISS), dialed home and spoke to the country’s leadership.

On March 3, the Crew-6 team, of which Al Neyadi is a part, had docked with the ISS after a 24-hour flight, and entered the station the same day.

Read: UAE’s Sultan Al Neyadi arrives at ISS to begin six-month space mission

During his live call from to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Al Neyadi on his safe arrival.

أثناء مكالمتي اليوم مع سلطان النيادي .. أول رائد فضاء عربي في مهمة طويلة لمدة 6 أشهر على محطة الفضاء الدولية … سلطان يفتح أبواباً جديدة لشبابنا .. ويرفع السقف لطموحات أجيالنا .. ويمثل جزءاً مشرقاً من مستقبلنا .. pic.twitter.com/s9sLpgATat

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 7, 2023

“Your safe arrival at the ISS is a source of pride for all of us, and a motivation for all Emiratis, Arabs and the global youth who follow you. I always say that everything is possible for the people of the UAE, and our strong will makes the impossible possible,” Sheikh Mohammed said to Al Neyadi.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the scientific experiments carried out by Al Neyadi since his arrival at the station on Friday. He was informed that the planned scientific programme is on track and provides an opportunity for the UAE to collaborate with international space agencies in conducting research, particularly on the effects of zero gravity on the human body and how to mitigate its risks in the future, official news agency WAM reported.

Video: @HHShkMohd held a live video call with Emirati astronaut @Astro_Alneyadi, who is currently undertaking the longest Arab space mission on the International @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/Gmm11wasV9

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 7, 2023

Sheikh Mohammed added: “Our journey started more than 50 years ago from the desert without any capabilities, and today our flag has reached space and flies around Mars. Your compatriot astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri started the journey in 2019, and today we continue the journey of developing national competencies in the space sector and writing new chapters in our exceptional journey.”

سيدي الشيخ محمد، وصول الإمارات إلى الفضاء هو مسيرة بدأت برؤيتكم أنتم وتحققت بفضل الله ثم بفضلكم أنتم وسيدي رئيس الدولة..

وصولي إلى محطة الفضاء الدولية في أطول مهمة لرائد فضاء عربي هو انجاز تمّ بقيادتكم الحكيمة ودعمكم لنا في كل خطوة..

أدامكم الله لنا.. https://t.co/7rd9wYjLHe

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) March 7, 2023

Al Neyadi expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support and follow-up of the leadership at all stages of the mission.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed listened to astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori explain the details of the Zayed Ambition 2 mission, and the research and experiments that the Crew-6 team will conduct during their six-month stay on the ISS.

Al Mansoori was the first Emirati astronaut to reach the ISS as part of the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Read: Video: UAE’s first astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori lifts off to space

At the end of the call, Sheikh Mohammed extended his best wishes to the Emirati astronaut, expressed hope for his success as well as a safe return home.

Read: Lift off: UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi en route to space

Crew-6 mission

The Crew-6 is now gearing up for a handover from the Crew-5 team, who will undock and splash down off the coast of Florida once their work is complete. After the handover, Crew-6 will carry out scientific research aimed at preparing for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing life on Earth.

Throughout the mission, Al Neyadi will partner with various space agencies, including NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the National Centre for Space Studies, to carry out 19 scientific studies across a broad spectrum of fields.

These studies will cover topics such as cardiovascular and immune system health, back pain, technical demonstrations, epigenetics, fluid science, plant biology, material science, sleep analysis, and radiation.