Mural displaying Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark Bezos, in Van Horn, Texas, where Blue Origin rocket launches take place. Reuters
Mural displaying Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark Bezos, in Van Horn, Texas, where Blue Origin rocket launches take place. Reuters
Though Texas has mountain ranges throughout the state, the 10 freeway and roads in and out of Van Horn are known for its wide expanses, perfect for launching rockets. Holly Aguirre / The National
Though Texas has mountain ranges throughout the state, the 10 freeway and roads in and out of Van Horn are known for its wide expanses, perfect for launching rockets. Holly Aguirre / The National
Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos visited Van Horn, Texas many times before deciding it was the perfect place to launch his rockets. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos visited Van Horn, Texas many times before deciding it was the perfect place to launch his rockets. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos celebrates his first successful landing in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos celebrates his first successful landing in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket landing on the desert terrain outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket landing on the desert terrain outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Members on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket experience the true effects of weightlessness before landing outside Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Members on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket experience the true effects of weightlessness before landing outside Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard team members pose after touching down in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard team members pose after touching down in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launches carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and space tourism company Blue Origin, brother Mark Bezos, Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk, from its spaceport near Van Horn, Texas on July 20, 2021. AP
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launches carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and space tourism company Blue Origin, brother Mark Bezos, Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk, from its spaceport near Van Horn, Texas on July 20, 2021. AP
William Shatner, center, speaks as Audrey Powers, left, and Chris Boshuizen appear during a press opportunity at the Blue Origin spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, on October 13, 2021. The "Star Trek" actor and the three fellow passengers soared to an altitude of 107 kilometres over the West Texas desert near Van Horn in a fully automated capsule, in a flight that lasted just over 10 minutes. AP
William Shatner, center, speaks as Audrey Powers, left, and Chris Boshuizen appear during a press opportunity at the Blue Origin spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, on October 13, 2021. The "Star Trek" actor and the three fellow passengers soared to an altitude of 107 kilometres over the West Texas desert near Van Horn in a fully automated capsule, in a flight that lasted just over 10 minutes. AP
Parachutes carrying Blue Origin's capsule with passengers William Shatner, Chris Boshuizen, Audrey Powers and Glen de Vries going down to the spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, last October. AP
Parachutes carrying Blue Origin's capsule with passengers William Shatner, Chris Boshuizen, Audrey Powers and Glen de Vries going down to the spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, last October. AP
"Good Morning America" host and former NFL star Michael Strahan laughs with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, during a media availability on the landing pad after they flew into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
"Good Morning America" host and former NFL star Michael Strahan laughs with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, during a media availability on the landing pad after they flew into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
Onlookers watch as Blue Origin’s New Shepard flies toward space carrying "Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, and four other civilians on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
Onlookers watch as Blue Origin’s New Shepard flies toward space carrying "Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, and four other civilians on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
This framegrab obtained from Blue Origin, shows the December team landing in West Texas near Van Horn. AFP PHOTO / Blue Origin
This framegrab obtained from Blue Origin, shows the December team landing in West Texas near Van Horn. AFP PHOTO / Blue Origin
A Blue Origin New Shepard rocket returns to Earth at the company's West Texas headquarters near Van Horn. The Guadalupe Mountain Range can be seen in the foreground. AFP
A Blue Origin New Shepard rocket returns to Earth at the company's West Texas headquarters near Van Horn. The Guadalupe Mountain Range can be seen in the foreground. AFP
Spectators are now flocking to Van Horn, Texas to watch Blue Origin's rocket launches. Reuters
Spectators are now flocking to Van Horn, Texas to watch Blue Origin's rocket launches. Reuters
A sign at the entrance to space company Blue Origin. Reuters
A sign at the entrance to space company Blue Origin. Reuters
El Capitan is the southern-most point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo by Laurence Parent
El Capitan is the southern-most point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo by Laurence Parent
The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the center of downtown Van Horn, Texas and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission
The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the center of downtown Van Horn, Texas and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission
Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National
Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National
Travellers visiting the Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn, Texas for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National
Travellers visiting the Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn, Texas for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National
Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National
Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National
Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National
Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National
Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National
Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National
Some of the rooms at the Hotel El Capitan overlook the courtyard. Hotel El Capitan
Some of the rooms at the Hotel El Capitan overlook the courtyard. Hotel El Capitan
Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National
postcard
postcard
An aerial view shows the logo of the Van Horn Eagles football team on a water tower in Van Horn, Texas where- Blue Origin held several rocket launches last year. AFP
An aerial view shows the logo of the Van Horn Eagles football team on a water tower in Van Horn, Texas where- Blue Origin held several rocket launches last year. AFP
Cody Colchado and Lupe Colchado eat lunch at the Chuy's Mexican restaurant before Jeff Bezos’ scheduled launch in his Blue Origin rocket from a launchpad in West Texas on July 19, 2021 in Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
Cody Colchado and Lupe Colchado eat lunch at the Chuy's Mexican restaurant before Jeff Bezos’ scheduled launch in his Blue Origin rocket from a launchpad in West Texas on July 19, 2021 in Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP
Hikers visiting the Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo by National Parks Service
Hikers visiting the Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo by National Parks Service
The Ship on the Desert is an early example of 20th-century modernism, distinct for West Texas and sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, an hour north of Van Horn, Texas. Photo by National Parks Service
The Ship on the Desert is an early example of 20th-century modernism, distinct for West Texas and sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, an hour north of Van Horn, Texas. Photo by National Parks Service
Van Horn, Texas is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in "Giant", which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National
Van Horn, Texas is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in "Giant", which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National
Longfellow Ranch is a working cattle ranch and includes the Pinon gas field which offers five-star room and dining facilities for corporate events and guests. Photo: RanchWork
Longfellow Ranch is a working cattle ranch and includes the Pinon gas field which offers five-star room and dining facilities for corporate events and guests. Photo: RanchWork
Jeff Bezos bought Longfellow Ranch in 2005, according to NBC News, which is the same time the billionaire bought 66.773 hectares in West Texas. Photo: RanchWork
Jeff Bezos bought Longfellow Ranch in 2005, according to NBC News, which is the same time the billionaire bought 66.773 hectares in West Texas. Photo: RanchWork
NBC News reported that Jeff Bezos bought the Longfellow Ranch in 2005, which was the same year he bought 66,773 hectares in same area. Photo: RanchWork
NBC News reported that Jeff Bezos bought the Longfellow Ranch in 2005, which was the same year he bought 66,773 hectares in same area. Photo: RanchWork
The Blue Origin launch site and facility are located near Van Horn in West Texas. Photo: Blue Origin
The Blue Origin launch site and facility are located near Van Horn in West Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

UAE

UAE space tourist's flight on Blue Origin delayed

Engineers are making repairs on the spacecraft's back-up systems as a precaution

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

May 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A Blue Origin flight that will launch a UAE resident into space has been delayed to allow engineers to make repairs on the spacecraft.

Hamish Harding, 50, a British adventurer who has lived in the Emirates for more than a decade, was due to fly on the New Shepard suborbital flight on Friday.

The space tourism company has not announced a new date yet.

“During our final vehicle check-outs, we observed one of New Shepard's back-up systems was not meeting our expectations for performance,” said Blue Origin in a statement.

“In an abundance of caution, we will be delaying the NS-21 launch originally scheduled for Friday. Stay tuned for further updates."

Hamish Harding, a British adventurer in UAE, will fly on the next Blue Origin suborbital flight. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Hamish Harding, a British adventurer in UAE, will fly on the next Blue Origin suborbital flight. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mr Harding is a businessman who owns Action Aviation, which provides aircraft brokerage services to many business jet and helicopter owners.

However, he is better known in the UAE for his adrenalin-fuelled stunts, including journeying to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine in 2021.

Other paying customers in the NS-21 flight include space tourist Evan Dick; electrical engineer and former Nasa test engineer Katya Echazarreta, also the first Mexican-born woman to fly into space; civil production engineer Victor Correa Hespanha; and adventurer Jaison Robinson.

This mission will be the fifth human flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme and the team was announced by the company on May 9.

The space tourism company has launched 20 people on these flights since 2021, including company owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Star Trek actor William Shatner.

The suborbital flight involves a vertical launch that takes passengers about 106 kilometres above the ground, bringing a few minutes of weightlessness.

It is a 10-minute trip from lift-off near the rural West Texas town of Van Horn to a parachute landing.

The ticket price of a Blue Origin flight has not been revealed, but a ticket was previously sold for $28 million in an auction.

Representing%20UAE%20overseas
%3Cp%3E%0DIf%20Catherine%20Richards%20debuts%20for%20Wales%20in%20the%20Six%20Nations%2C%20she%20will%20be%20the%20latest%20to%20have%20made%20it%20from%20the%20UAE%20to%20the%20top%20tier%20of%20the%20international%20game%20in%20the%20oval%20ball%20codes.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeren%20Gough-Walters%20(Wales%20rugby%20league)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Dubai%2C%20raised%20in%20Sharjah%2C%20and%20once%20an%20immigration%20officer%20at%20the%20British%20Embassy%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20she%20debuted%20for%20Wales%20in%20rugby%20league%20in%202021.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%20sevens)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWith%20an%20Emirati%20father%20and%20English%20mother%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20at%20school%20in%20Dubai%2C%20and%20went%20on%20to%20represent%20England%20on%20the%20sevens%20circuit.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFiona%20Reidy%20(Ireland)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMade%20her%20Test%20rugby%20bow%20for%20Ireland%20against%20England%20in%202015%2C%20having%20played%20for%20four%20years%20in%20the%20capital%20with%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20previously.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

'Saand Ki Aankh'

Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The biog

Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Favourite holiday destination: Spain

Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody

Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa

Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19

Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
While you're here
More from Firas Maksad
While you're here
On Women's Day
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ

Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700

Engine 3.0L V6

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 340hp @ 6,000pm

Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km

War and the virus
CHELSEA SQUAD

Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku. 

Updated: May 19, 2022, 5:51 AM
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