Dubai (AFP)

Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansouri, who entered history by becoming the first citizen of an Arab country to stay in the International Space Station (ISS), said Tuesday that his mission in space had opened his eyes to a crucial question: climate change.

"We must appreciate the planet and ensure that it is preserved for future generations," the Emirati pleaded in its blue astronaut suit at a press conference in Dubai.

"When you see our planet from space, it's really something amazing and a spectacular sight," he added. "I spent a lot of time looking through the window (of the ISS), I did not even want to sleep."

Emirati flag on one sleeve and spacecraft on another, the 35-year-old former fighter pilot said it is "really hard to live in space, where we have to have a lot of oxygen, air and of food while we have it all here for free, "he said.

"We are lucky to live here, protect the Earth and its atmosphere," he added, calling for addressing the causes of climate change.

Hazzaa Al Mansouri returned to Earth on October 3, landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan after eight days in space.

Although short, its mission has garnered immense pride in the United Arab Emirates, newcomers in space and who have recently announced plans to send a probe to Mars, by 2021.

Hazzaa Al Mansouri allowed the Emirates to join the small club of Arab countries that sent a man into space, overtaken by Saudi Arabia in 1985 and Syria in 1987. He is the first national of these countries to have visited the ISS and a hero in his homeland, where coins and stamps with his effigy will be released.

On board the ISS, he donned a traditional Emirati dress and participated in experiments, especially on the perception of time.

Selected from more than 4,000 candidates, he also posted on Twitter, during his mission, photos taken from the space of the Emirates and Mecca, the most sacred site of Islam.

© 2019 AFP