The UAE space achievements just gets better and better as the world watches in awe.
Yesterday (12 April 2021) HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE tweeted that two new Emiratis have been chosen to be part of its astronaut corps, including the Arab world’s first female astronaut.
“We announce the first Arab female astronaut, among two new astronauts, selected from over 4,000 candidates to be trained with NASA for future space exploration missions. Congratulations Noura AlMatrooshi and Mohammed AlMulla,” HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in his tweet.
We announce the first Arab female astronaut, among two new astronauts, selected from over 4,000 candidates to be trained with NASA for future space exploration missions. Congratulations Noura Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla. pic.twitter.com/bfyquyzqAJ
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 10, 2021
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that Nora AlMatrooshi, 27 was chosen to be part of the country’s astronaut corps.
The male astronaut Mohammed AlMulla was also chosen.
In a tweet, Nora AlMatrooshi said: “The nation gave me unforgettable moments today. I aim to work hard to script historical moments and achievements that will be etched forever in the memory of our people”
The nation gave me unforgettable moments today. I aim to work hard to script historical moments and achievements that will be etched forever in the memory of our people.
I thank our wise leadership and the team of the UAE Astronaut Programme. Preparations and work begin now. https://t.co/VKrVyR53ro— Nora AlMatrooshi (@Astronaut_Nora) April 10, 2021
“Space was her passion since childhood… Nora AlMatrooshi, the new member of the UAE Astronaut Programme,” the MBR Space Centre tweeted.
Space was her passion since childhood… Nora AlMatrooshi, the new member of the UAE Astronaut Programme.#UAEAstronauts #UAEAstronautProgramme@Astronaut_Nora @TheUAETRA pic.twitter.com/TEW5uip0EK
— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) April 10, 2021
Hazza Al Mansouri, an Emirati astronaut and the first person from the UAE in space in September, tweeted his congratulations to the new astronauts.
“Congratulations to Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammed AlMulla for joining the team of the UAE Astronaut Programme. We await you in preparation for new missions and exchange our expertise. I wish that we succeed together in raising the name of our nation ever higher,” he tweeted.
Congratulations to Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammed AlMulla for joining the team of the UAE Astronaut Programme. We await you in preparation for new missions and exchange our expertise. I wish that we succeed together in raising the name of our nation ever higher. pic.twitter.com/AkMz8dDNd4
— Hazzaa AlMansoori (@astro_hazzaa) April 10, 2021
The two Emiratis spent a year training in Star City, in western Russia, for the first space mission that included a week for Maj Al Mansouri on the International Space Station.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Nasa have also signed an agreement to train four Emirati astronauts.
I thank our wise leadership and the team of the UAE Astronaut Programme. Preparations and work begin now.
Maj Al Mansouri and Mr Al Neyadi have already completed six months of training under Nasa’s Astronaut Candidate Training Programme.
Through its national space programme, especially after the success of the Hope Probe in its mission to Mars, the UAE relies on strengthening its position scientifically and globally, and on contributing to the global scientific movement for a better future for humanity.
The future missions of Emirati female and male astronauts bolster the UAE’s vision for the next fifty years, as it is a real bet on science and youth within an integrated system, through which it continues to write a new scientific history for the Arab region and build a solid national knowledge base led by young people armed with science and knowledge.
Image Source: UAE National News Agency – WAM
