A UAE space centre chief has hailed the milestone success of Boeing's test flight to the International Space Station, which is set to open up a world of opportunity for more manned space missions.
The US aerospace company's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS before returning back to Earth safely on Thursday morning, UAE time.
The spacecraft is part of Nasa's commercial crew programme to send its astronauts to the orbiting space laboratory, in a deal similar to the one the US space agency has with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The capsule landed at the White Sands Space Harbour, a spaceport in New Mexico, after completing the six-day flight test.
Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, the organisation that runs the UAE's astronaut programme, said the Emirates could benefit from an additional spacecraft that can take humans to the ISS.
“Congratulations to Boeing and Nasa on a great job. The more opportunities there are for access to space, in general, and to the ISS through these missions, the better that is for all parties involved,” said Mr Al Marri.
For more than a decade, only Russia’s Soyuz rocket could launch humans into space. However, SpaceX is now also taking astronauts to the ISS as part of Nasa’s commercial crew programme.
Once Boeing starts launching manned missions to the ISS, it would mean an additional “taxi service” to the station for astronauts.
“With Boeing's test success, I think now we are looking forward to the first crewed missions. And once those go through, of course, then that gives an option for crewed missions using a SpaceX, a Soyuz with the Russians and Boeing. That is great for the industry for the UAE,” said Mr Al Marri.
For the space centre and for Emirati astronauts, it also means “getting good deals” on space missions, he said.
The UAE launched its first astronaut on a Soyuz rocket and its next astronaut will ride on a SpaceX Dragon capsule that will lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket next spring.
With the test flight now complete, Boeing could be launching Nasa astronauts into space by end of this year. The next step will be a manned test flight to the ISS.
Joel Montalbano, manager of Nasa’s ISS Programme, said the flight was a step towards making another transport system to the space lab available.
“Soon, we hope to see crews arrive to the space station on Starliner to continue the important microgravity scientific research and discovery made possible by the orbiting laboratory,” he said.
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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
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The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
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Transgender report
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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.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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
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Quick%20facts
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
