His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, got on a video call with Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who is currently onboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the longest Arab space mission.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed made the call from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and began by congratulating Sultan Al Neyadi on his successful docking.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, "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."
Sultan Al Neyadi briefed His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on the scientific missions that the crew would complete.
The six-month-long mission will see the astronauts conduct research, to analyse the effects of zero gravity on the human body and how to mitigate its risks in the future.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed further 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."
Crew-6 took off on Thursday, 2 March, at 9.34am UAE time, at the Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The team includes astronaut Stephen Bowen, Spacecraft Commander at NASA, astronaut Warren Hoburg, Pilot at NASA, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Mission Specialist at Roscosmos.
Crew-6 is now set to take over from Crew-5, who will then return to Florida, once their mission is complete.