Dr Sultan Al Neyadi and Maj Hazza Al Mansouri were awarded First Class Space Medals on Eid Al Etihad, the UAE's National Day, on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, presented the astronauts with the medal at a ceremony at Zabeel Palace. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, attended the event.
"As part of our National Day celebrations, we celebrated a group of the nation’s sons who contributed to the advancement of the space sector, established the UAE’s global position in this field and contributed to shaping its future in this advanced scientific sector," Sheikh Mohammed said on X.
"Under the directives of my brother Mohamed bin Zayed, we awarded astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri the First Class Space Medal."
Maj Al Mansouri, a former Air Force pilot, became the first Emirati astronaut when he blasted off aboard a Russian rocket in 2019 for an eight-day mission on the International Space Station, helping to launch the UAE's space ambitions.
Dr Al Neyadi, now Minister of State for Youth Affairs, was the second Emirati astronaut in space. He spent six months aboard the space station last year and also became the first Arab to perform a spacewalk.
Second Class Space Medals were awarded to Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi, the astronauts' flight doctor, and Adnan Al Rais, an assistant director general at the space centre who oversaw the astronaut programme.
"We continue to appreciate the efforts of all the sons of the nation in all sectors. We are proud of them," said Sheikh Mohammed. "We are optimistic about generations that see them as inspiring models and follow in their footsteps."
The UAE’s space sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, establishing itself as a rising power in space exploration.
From the historic Mars mission with the Hope probe, missions aboard the ISS and investing in Nasa's lunar Gateway station, the country is positioning itself as a strong player in space.
Mr Al Marri said it was an honour to receive the Space Medal. "We will continue to work with all sincerity and dedication to achieve more accomplishments, present inspiring models for future generations and move steadily towards a bright future for the Emirates in the field of space exploration," he said on X.
The MBRSC was established in 2006, with engineers from the centre, including Mr Al Marri and Mr Al Rais, who helped build the country's first Earth observation satellites, ultimately helping to form the government space programme.
The UAE Space Agency, formed in 2014, is helping to develop a private space sector and also funds some space missions, including the Hope Probe and the upcoming MBR Explorer mission to the main asteroid belt. More than 14 companies so far have launched operations in the Space Economic Zone, a dedicated free zone for companies that the UAE Space Agency helped to establish.
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
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6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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