On September 25th of this year, Hazzaa AlMansoori, former Emirati F-16 pilot, will become the first UAE national in space aboard a Russian Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. AlMansoori will make history as the UAE’s first astronaut when he embarks on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Officials have announced that his journey will mark an important milestone in the UAE’s space industry, which is led by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. When Al Mansouri is rocketed to the ISS, he’ll actually mark the UAE as the 19th country to visit the space station! Also, fellow Emirati Sultan AlNeyadi is second in line to make the trip to the ISS.
Ahead of the historic launch, it’s been announced that Hazzaa Al-Mansoori and his fellow crew will take with them a 10 kg shipment prepared by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The shipment is going to be filled with items relating to the UAE’s heritage, culture, and history. Varying from the Emirati flag, coat of arms, Emirati food, Al-Ghaf tree seeds, a photo of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a copy of the Holy Quran. The book My Story by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will also be included in the shipment. And finally, MBRSC’s The Race to Space book.