MOSCOW, Sept 25 (NNN-ARAB NEWS) – The Emirati astronaut, who will make history by becoming the first UAE’s Arab on the International Space Station said, he received support from around the world before his “dream” mission.
Hazza Al-Mansoori, 35, is set to blast into space, accompanied by Russia’s Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut, Jessica Meir, on board a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, on Wednesday (today).
Mansoori, who will spend eight days on the ISS, will be the first Emirati astronaut on the orbiting laboratory, but not the first Muslim. Sultan bin Salman Al Saud is the first Arab and Muslim to fly into outer space.
From left, UAE astronaut Hazza Al-Mansoori, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, and US astronaut Jessica Meir, members of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), pose during a news conference in Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. (AP)
“It is really an honour and we are looking forward to make this mission successful and to come back with a lot of knowledge,” the pilot told a pre-flight news conference.
He said, the trip was a milestone for his country. “This achievement will be in history and it will be continued,” he said. “The dream has come true.”– NNN-ARAB NEWS