International Space Station welcomes first-ever Emirati astronaut

He is the first UAE citizen to travel in space. Hazza Al Mansouri entered history on the morning of Thursday 26 September, entering the International Space Station (ISS) alongside two other astronauts.

He had taken off the day before in a Soyuz MS-15 ship with American Jessica Meir and Russian Oleg Skripochka for a six-hour interstellar journey. On Thursday, they were welcomed aboard the ISS by six members already present "for a joyous welcome ceremony," Nasa said on Twitter in a message with a video.

After a four-orbit, six-hour journey to the @ Space_Station, three Earthlings opened the hatch to their new home at 6:12 pm ET. This article is not available in English. #AskNASA: https://t.co/YqjHuhFtPX pic.twitter.com/VBm3g8LRlL

At 35, Hazza Al Mansouri allows the Emirates to join the small club of Arab countries that sent a man into space, ahead of Saudi Arabia in 1985 and Syria in 1987.

This fighter pilot becomes especially the first astronaut of an Arab country to enter the ISS. Hazza Al Mansouri, whose participation in this flight was confirmed only very late, shared his "real honor" to participate in this mission, which causes great fervor in the UAE.

"Feeling of joy and amazement"

During the traditional press conference on the eve of takeoff, the Emirati astronaut explained that her ambition was to "make this mission successful and come back with a lot of knowledge".

"The dream has become a reality," he added, adding that he would retransmit and share his daily prayers with the Earth.

"A few hours before the flight and I am filled with an indescribable feeling of joy and amazement," he wrote on Twitter before the big departure. "Today, I bring the dreams and ambitions of my country to a whole new dimension."

A few hours before launch and I'm filled with this indescribable feeling of glory and awe. Today I carry the dreams and ambition of my country to a new dimension. May Allah grant me success in this mission. Your brother, Hazzaa AlMansoori.

Selected from 4,022 candidates, Hazza Al Mansouri only learned in September 2018 that he would be part of the adventure. If he has to carry out some scientific experiments, he also takes with him thirty seeds from a typical Emirati tree that will be planted across the country upon his return.

In Dubai, Burj Khalifa Tower - the largest in the world - illuminated with the portrait of the astronaut at takeoff on Wednesday.

Eight days aboard the ISS

It was the last takeoff from the "Gagarin" launch pad, the one from which the first manned space flight was launched in 1961 with Yuri Gagarin on board.

Along with Hazza Al Mansouri, Jessica Meir, a 42-year-old biologist, is also discovering space. Oleg Skripotchka, on the other hand, has a long experience. This engineer has already participated in two missions on the ISS, the first in October 2010, and spent a total of no less than 331 days in space.

The International Space Station is a rare example of cooperation between Russia and the United States in a context of unprecedented tensions since the Cold War. Sixteen countries are participating in the ISS, which has cost a total of $ 100 billion, mostly paid for by the United States and Russia.

The arrival of three astronauts brings to nine the number of occupants of the orbital station, a record since September 2015. However, Hazza Al Mansouri will remain there for only eight days. His return is scheduled for October 3rd.

With AFP