Nasa and the UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre are in talks to approve Emirati astronauts for flights to the Moon, the chief of the US space agency said.
The Artemis programme by Nasa hopes to set up a base on the Moon this decade, with only American and Canadian astronauts assigned to flights so far.
During a media event on Wednesday over the UAE's role in the landmark project, Nasa administrator Bill Nelson said there were discussions between the two organisations.
"Are there talks going on? The answer is yes. We're not ready to make an announcement. I will leave that to the space centre here," Mr Nelson said in response to a question from The National.
As part of the Artemis programme, Nasa plans to launch the Lunar Gateway – a small station in lunar orbit that would host astronauts before they descend to the Moon's surface.
The National previously reported that the UAE had expressed interest in supplying an airlock for the station, which would ultimately allow the country's astronauts to get easier access to the Moon.
Only five space agencies played a role in the International Space Station, with astronauts from each organisation granted most access it.
But now, with the ISS to be retired at end of this decade due to rising costs and ageing infrastructure, there is renewed interest in returning to the Moon.
Emerging space nations such as the UAE could play a role by providing infrastructure to the Lunar Gateway that would help Emirati astronauts step foot on the Moon.
Training under way
Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati woman to be selected as an astronaut, and Mohammed Al Mulla are the latest UAE astronauts training at Nasa's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.
They are training alongside Nasa astronauts the US space agency calls "the Artemis generation".
Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi, the two Emirati astronauts who have been to the ISS, have also expressed interest in going on missions to the Moon.
Dr Al Neyadi, who returned in September after a six-month mission, earlier said that he would like to go to the Lunar Gateway.
“We all know about the Gateway,” Dr Al Neyadi said. “It's a proposed station that will orbit the Moon, so I would love to be part of it.”
Nasa launched the Artemis 1 flight around the Moon last year, with the Orion spacecraft that helped gather data for future missions.
Artemis 2 is scheduled for next year and it will involve US and Canadian astronauts who will orbit the Moon.
Artemis 3, the first human lunar landing in more than 50 years, could take place by 2027.
Nasa is carrying out the construction of the Lunar Gateway on Earth, before assembly can take place in the Moon's orbit by astronauts.
Mr Nelson, who is a US senator, said that he was impressed with the UAE's achievements in space.
"The fact that you have a mission that is orbiting Mars right now – that's a very significant accomplishment," he said.
"The fact that you have trained astronauts like Hazza and Sultan, who I've now spent two days with and I liked them very much. The UAE is very technically competent and very smart."
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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
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Price: From Dh149,900
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Analysis
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
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The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
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Price: Dh122,900
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
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Andor
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SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
DUBAI WORLD CUP RACE CARD
6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
8.15pm Dubai Sprint Listed Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Well Of Wisdom
7.05pm Summrghand
7.40pm Laser Show
8.15pm Angel Alexander
8.50pm Benbatl
9.25pm Art Du Val
10pm: Beyond Reason
