The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced that the first Emirati astronauts will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.
One of the astronauts will fly to ISS on 25 September for an eight-day Russian space mission aboard a Soyuz-MS 15 spacecraft and will travel back aboard a Soyuz-MS 12.
The second astronaut will continue training for future missions.
The date of the flight was postponed from April to September following a launch accident of the Soyuz-MS 10 spacecraft in October last year.
This will be the first time in Arab history that an astronaut will present an introductory tour in Arabic at ISS. In the introductory tour, he will explain the components of the station, the equipment on board and methods of conducting experiments in zero gravity.
The astronaut will be conducting earth observation and imaging experiences, and interacting with ground stations, sharing information and experiences, as well as documenting the daily lives of astronauts at the station.
Emirati astronauts Al Mansoori and Al Neyadi were selected from a total of 4,022 candidates who applied to the UAE Astronaut Programme after a series of advanced medical and psychological tests, as well as personal interviews conducted to the highest international standards.
The UAE Astronaut Programme was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in 2017, to train and prepare Emirati astronauts to travel to space on various scientific missions.