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A Closer Look: How Hazza Al Mansouri's trip to space sparked the Emirati programme

We hear from The National's Space Editor, Sarwat Nasir

The National

September 25, 2024

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In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week

Five years ago, Hazza Al Mansouri made history by becoming the first Emirati to venture into space.

Blasting off from Kazakhstan on September 25, 2019, the astronaut kicked off what would quickly become the UAE's vastly impressive space programme.

Shortly after his week-long mission, the UAE's Hope probe was launched, followed by notable events such as the second Emirati in space, Dr Sultan Al Neyadi – who became first Arab to perform a spacewalk – and the attempted landing of the Rashid Rover.

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's Space Editor Sarwat Nasir about watching that historic launch first hand and the rapid progress made since.

Read more

Five years on: Astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri reflects on being first Emirati in space

Emirati astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansouri begin tour of UAE schools

UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi becomes first Arab to walk in space: in pictures

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi posted new pictures of his April 28 spacewalk. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi posted new pictures of his April 28 spacewalk. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
Dr Al Neyadi made history by becoming the first Arab to walk in space. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
Dr Al Neyadi made history by becoming the first Arab to walk in space. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
He was assisted by American astronaut Stephen Bowen. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
He was assisted by American astronaut Stephen Bowen. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
The spacewalk lasted six and a half hours. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
The spacewalk lasted six and a half hours. Photo: @Astro_Alneyadi / Twitter
Dr Al Neyadi prepares for the spacewalk. All subsequent photos: Nasa
Dr Al Neyadi prepares for the spacewalk. All subsequent photos: Nasa
Dr Al Neyadi steps out of the International Space Station
Dr Al Neyadi steps out of the International Space Station
Fellow UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri, increment lead of Expedition 69 on Earth, monitoring the mission from the Johnson Space Centre
Fellow UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri, increment lead of Expedition 69 on Earth, monitoring the mission from the Johnson Space Centre
The view from Dr Al Neyadi's camera
The view from Dr Al Neyadi's camera
The astronauts outside the space station
The astronauts outside the space station
The astronauts carry out maintenance work on the International Space Station
The astronauts carry out maintenance work on the International Space Station
Dr Al Neyadi, top, carries out repairs outside the ISS
Dr Al Neyadi, top, carries out repairs outside the ISS
The pair exited the space station at 5.41pm GST
The pair exited the space station at 5.41pm GST
The spacewalk officially began at 5.11pm when their spacesuits switched to battery power
The spacewalk officially began at 5.11pm when their spacesuits switched to battery power
While the spacesuits weigh 127kg, astronauts cannot feel this weight in space
While the spacesuits weigh 127kg, astronauts cannot feel this weight in space
The astronauts are tethered to the station while floating in microgravity more than 400km above the Earth
The astronauts are tethered to the station while floating in microgravity more than 400km above the Earth
Dr Al Neyadi carries out repairs
Dr Al Neyadi carries out repairs
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Updated: October 11, 2024, 12:30 PM
A Closer Look