Emirati astronauts share vision for future missions

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) took part in the Dubai Airshow 2019, one of the world’s largest events in the aerospace industry, bringing together the leading aerospace and defence industries regionally and globally, from Nov.17-21.

Students and other attendees interested in the space sector visited the UAE Space Pavilion at the Dubai Airshow 2019.

The pavilion reviewed the UAE’s achievements in this field, its future plans, and the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision for the country’s space sector.

Day 1 of the Dubai Airshow was attended by Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, Director General of MBRSC, Salem Al Marri, Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme, and Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi, the two Emirati astronauts. The astronauts shared their insights on the UAE’s success in the space sector, the challenges they faced in preparation for the UAE’s first mission to space, their vision for future missions, and the sustainability of the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab astronaut to travel to space in 1985, and Alfred Worden, American astronaut and Command Module Pilot of the Apollo 15 lunar mission, visited MBRSC’s platform at the exhibition.

The two astronauts commended the UAE’s efforts in inspiring and supporting youth to work in the space sector.

They also applauded the UAE’s success in its first mission to space.

During the visit, Al Mansoori gifted Prince Sultan the KSA flag, the UAE flag, MBRSC’s logo and “Zayed’s Ambition,” the logo for the UAE’s first mission to space, which were all items that were carried into space by Al Mansoori.

Al Mansoori also gifted Alfred Worden the mission’s logo.

Hamad Al Mansoori said, “Dubai Airshow 2019 combines modern technologies and innovations, which shape the future of the aerospace industry, and highlight the leading role and the growing confidence that the UAE enjoys, regionally and internationally, in the aerospace industry. The 16th edition of the Dubai Airshow 2019 reflects the UAE’s success and achievements, notably the UAE’s first mission to space. These achievements are a result of our wise leadership’s vision,” added Al Mansoori.

Al Shaibani said, “The Dubai Airshow is a great opportunity to review the latest technologies and equipment in the space sector, taking into consideration the rapid growth of this leading sector in the UAE.

“The exhibition contributes to the exchange of experiences, with leading experts and specialists in the aviation, defence, and space industries, who are participating in the exhibition this year,” added Al Shaibani.

Recently, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi received at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), Al Mansoori and Al Neyadi in the presence of Hamad Al Mansoori.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Sultan welcomed the astronauts and their accompanying delegation at SAASST, which is an academic platform to study and conduct scientific research in the fields of space and astronomy through a range of important scientific halls and laboratories.

Sheikh Sultan toured with the astronauts and attendees in the corridors of the Academy, which includes many scientific and astronomical exhibitions, and a large collection of unique meteorites being the largest, in terms of number in the world, where the collection consists of 8,000 pieces of meteorites of various types and sources.

Attendees were introduced to the most prominent activities and efforts carried out by the Academy through a detailed explanation about its scientific laboratories, experiments and studies, in addition to astronomical projects and scientific programmes and the most prominent devices, observatories and Sharjah Planetarium.

The audience showed a documentary film named “Deen Al Qayima,” written by the Ruler of Sharjah tells the story of how the universe was created by Allah Almighty from the moment of the Big Bang until the end of the universe.