Astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri said: “Sheikh Zayed, may God bless him, had a vision and interest in the space sector, and maybe a dream that the UAE will have astronauts, and the dream has come true. That started 40 years ago. ”

"The UAE provides a stimulating environment for young people to achieve achievements in all areas, thanks to the leadership, my family, all agencies and partners for their support," he said.

This came during a press conference held for the main and alternative crew of the mission to launch to the International Space Station, where they spoke from behind a glass insulator, in a media appearance, before the launch to the International Space Station, to highlight the final preparations for the mission, in the presence of officials from the Mohammed Center Bin Rashid Space, the space agencies involved in the mission, and the pioneers' parents.

In answer to a question about prayer and how he will do it? "Prayer in our religion is flexible," Mansouri said. "I performed my prayer as a pilot beforehand. Space is something new. I will share my prayers with everyone in the world. It is a new experience for us."

Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati astronaut, and the Russian crew, Oleg Scribochka and US astronaut Jessica Mir, are scheduled to travel to Baikonur, Kazakhstan, at 5:56 pm EDT on Wednesday. International, in the first manned mission of the Emirates to space.

Prior to the press conference, the main crew of the September 25 mission wore the Sokol suit, where he attended a meeting with the Russian State Committee, who spoke with astronauts and checked their readiness, and subsequently issued final approval to begin the mission.

Speaking at the press conference, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi spoke about the reception of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan in the 1970s to astronauts, adding that "it has become a reality thanks to leadership, and the ceiling of ambitions has risen."

"Our badge is number one, and that means there are many more missions to come," he said in a message to young people. "They have to dream and work to reach their dreams."

It is noteworthy that the mission of the first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station falls under the program «Emirates Astronauts», which is supervised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, and is the first integrated program in the Arab region to prepare national cadres participating in manned space flights to carry out missions It is part of the research that the international scientific community is doing to devise solutions to many challenges that in turn help to improve the lives of people on Earth.

Al Mansouri launches to space on Dubai screen directly from the event

From the ground floor, live on Dubai TV, the first Arab-Arab astronaut to the International Space Station, Hazza Al Mansouri, will be broadcasting with live media coverage and live broadcasts across three major studios and 22 field reports around the world.

Ahmed Saeed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Radio and Television Sector at Dubai Media Incorporated, said that Dubai TV always emphasizes its commitment and aligns its multiple channels with the UAE's vision and interest in space and astronomy. The first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station has been launched since the official announcement of the names of the two astronauts, Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi, in coordination with colleagues at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Space Center. Al Mansouri added: “The production team responsible for preparing the coverage has been working since last June by setting up the coverage plan, distributing assignments to the team, including correspondents abroad, as well as completing all technical bookings and logistical arrangements on the ground at the Baikonur Space Station. Kazakhstan, in view of the many phases of the launch program, has held several meetings with officials of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center, in addition to the continuous coordination of the implementation of this integrated media plan ».

“We have overcome a lot of complications, challenges and difficulties, especially with regard to the tight security measures imposed by the Russian authorities on the launch areas,” said the Executive Director of Radio and Television at Dubai Media Incorporated. Dubai - UAE Today