UAE says its first astronaut going into space in September

Published February 25, 2019
Emirati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi, right, speaks to journalists with astronaut Hazza al-Mansoori, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday. — AP
Emirati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi, right, speaks to journalists with astronaut Hazza al-Mansoori, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday. — AP

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the date the first astronaut from the Gulf Arab nation will go into space.

The UAE said on Monday it will send either Hazza al-Mansoori or Sultan al-Neyadi to the International Space Station on September 25 aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket.

Organisers had earlier said they would announce the astronaut who was going but instead gave just the launch date.

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum had already announced the astronauts' names last September.

The UAE has a fledgling space program with big ambitions. It launched its first locally made satellite KhalifaSat from Japan in October. It wants to launch a probe to Mars in 2020.

The UAE also says it wants to colonise Mars by 2117, with a fully functioning city of 600,000.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...