He stressed that “Expo 2020” is a window to the world

Expo.. Sultan Al Neyadi: I have dreamed of exploring space since childhood

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Emirati astronaut, Sultan Al Neyadi, expressed his happiness that Expo 2020 Dubai has allocated a week to space, within the ten thematic weeks organized by the international event within the framework of the "People and Planet Earth" program.

He affirmed providing full support for this week and working through it to spread the passion for space sciences, as well as the correct, relevant information and experiences that he gained.

Al Neyadi said: “Since childhood, I dreamed of exploring space. My father’s work as a pilot in the UAE Air Force inspired me;

I always saw my father in the blue suit, and this motivated me to head into the aviation sector.

Also, my residency in an almost remote area was an important factor, because this area allowed me in the eighties to look at the stars and see them clearly, and since then I have been striving to be an astronaut.”

He added, “However, I did not succeed in becoming a pilot, so I entered the field of engineering, and I did not give up my dream of exploring space.

In 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the opening of registration for astronauts, as registration was open to all disciplines, including engineers.

Praise be to God, I submitted and was accepted and graded in the tests, and then I was selected in addition to my colleague Hazaa Al-Mansoori.”

He stressed that "the space exploration sector in the UAE is supported by the wise leadership, and we have succeeded in the UAE in launching a satellite made by 100% Emirati hands, as well as sending the (Hope Probe), and there are a few countries that succeeded in sending spacecraft to another planet, as well. The UAE Astronaut Programme, of which I am proud to be a part. Currently, there are four astronauts, who are ready to train to reach the International Space Stations or to future targets such as the Moon or even Mars. All of the above encourages the establishment of a new youth in the UAE who thinks about science and the development of the space exploration sector.”

Al Neyadi said: "I completed a first year of training at NASA, which included many activities, including training in flying jet aircraft, and also trained in spacewalking, as well as on the systems of the International Space Station, and this qualifies us to be operators on the International Space Station for months. .

Personally, I am looking forward to playing the role of operator or astronaut in future exploration missions.”

On his advice to young people who want to work in the space sector, he replied: "I advise young people to follow their passion, focus on achieving their goals, and take care of the health of their bodies. This is essential for everyone who wants to join the space sector, and a lot of reading, reading and preparing to seize opportunities."

He continued, "(Expo 2020 Dubai) is our window to the world.

And the world looks at the UAE through this international event, which lasts six months.

We are happy that this international event devoted an entire week to space, and today we support this event with all our energy, and we are working to spread the passion and spread space science, and spread the right information and the experiences we have gained.”