UAE officials have welcomed the return of manned missions to space by the United States and say the achievement will benefit the sector globally.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket blasted off on Saturday night carrying Nasa astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station.
More than 10 million people tuned in to watch the launch live, with the pair later docking at their destination at around 6.29pm UAE time on Sunday.
“The launch was beautiful and flawless,” said Salem Al Marri, the head of the UAE Astronaut Programme.
“It was great to see astronauts launching from Florida again… it’s been nearly a decade since that has happened.
“We had been looking forward to the US launching manned missions again for a long time and we’re happy, so congratulations to them.”
SpaceX - owned by Elon Musk - has been using its Falcon 9 rockets to send Dragon spacecraft into orbit and deliver cargo to the ISS since 2012.
On Saturday, a Crew Dragon capsule, which can accommodate up to seven astronauts, carried human cargo for the first time.
"I sat inside a demo of that capsule and when you see the space and comfort you have, the sleekness of the screens – it's a very pleasant experience," Mr Al Marri told The National.
“It’s something that would add a lot of value to sending professional astronauts to space and even space tourists in the future.
“Even training and preparing them would be a much easier approach than in previous systems.”
UAE astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri became the first Emirati to travel to space in September last year.
He arrived at the ISS in a Russian built Soyuz rocket, the only method of transport to the station since the US closed down its Space Shuttle programme in 2011.
Mr Al Marri said he hoped Emirati astronauts would soon be able to fly in a number of new spacecraft being developed to carry humans to ISS.
He said he was also “looking forward” to Boeing launching its Starliner test flight later this year.
“The more options you have, the more capability we would have to utilise those options to get into low earth orbit and to the ISS,” he said.
“We also look forward to seeing the same from Boeing because they will become the third provider that we can work with in terms of driving cost down, training multiple astronauts in multiple vehicles and increase the launch options.”
Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, the director-general of the UAE Space Agency, also welcomed the success of the SpaceX programme.
“This is an achievement in the history of the global space sector that marks the start of a new era for human spaceflight and highlights private companies’ roles in achieving strides in space,” he said.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
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
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
HAJJAN
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