She emphasized that space exploration is not limited to a race or country and is open to all

Expo .. Nora Al Matrooshi: My choice as the first Arab astronaut is a great responsibility

Nora Issa Al-Matrooshi, who was chosen to be the first Arab astronaut, hopes that her first mission will be to the moon, stressing that space exploration is not limited to a race or a country, and that it is an open field for all.

Noura Al Matrooshi's statements came during her participation in the "Space Week", which is organized by "Expo 2020 Dubai", in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the Emirates Space Agency, from 17 to 23 October, which is the second week of the 10 topic weeks that will be held Throughout the international event site, within the "People and Planet Earth" program.

Regarding her selection as the first Arab female astronaut, Al-Matrooshi said, “It is a great responsibility to be chosen to be the first Arab female astronaut, and the field of space exploration is not limited to a gender or a country. I got into it.”

On the advice given by astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri and how his mission inspired her, she replied: “Yes, Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi gave me many advice. Because in space we depend on the movement of the hands a lot, and with the continuous movement they will get tired, so they must be strengthened.”

And regarding the training phase, she added: “My colleague, Muhammad Al-Mulla, began training at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, and we also started learning the Russian language, and we started some exercises to deal with the press, and God willing, we will start flying training, to be more prepared when the training begins with ( NASA).

As for her hopes for her first mission, she noted, “My first mission has not yet been decided. I hope my first mission will be to the moon, and I hope that I can say that I have taken one step on its surface. My advice to girls who want to work in the space sector is to strive to achieve our goals, The opportunities to achieve the goals exist, and even if the opportunities do not exist, we can create them, and if one day we reach a stage where we can give opportunities to people, let us present them to them, because one day we were in their place and we wanted to have an opportunity.”

Al Matrooshi said: "When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and I remember that my teacher turned the class for us to the surface of the moon, and gave us information about the planet Earth and the planets in our solar system, and because of this experience, the goal of becoming an astronaut began to establish in me."

She added: "(Expo 2020 Dubai) gives the opportunity for countries to meet in one place, and for human minds to gather in this place to discuss ideas, innovate and develop those ideas, and convergence of views can inspire us, and (Expo 2020 Dubai) is a platform for humanity, for us to work Together, we build a better future for us and future generations.”

Nora Issa Al Matrooshi:

■■ “I hope that my first mission will be to the moon, and to say that I have taken one step on its surface.”

■■ "My advice to girls, who want to work in the space sector, is to strive to achieve our goals."