Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Aleksey Ovchinin pose for photographs during their joint press conference.

First Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori made his first media appearance after his mission to the International Space Station (ISS), in a joint press conference with the Russian astronaut, Aleksey Ovchinin at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Stars City, Moscow, Russia.

The press conference shed light on Hazzaa's space mission.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre confirmed that Hazzaa Al Mansoori will finish his medical check ups and tests on Friday (Oct.11); meanwhile, preparations for his return are underway.

“I’m proud of completing this mission which is only the start for manned space missions,” Hazzaa said during the press conference.

“I am only the first, and queues of future astronauts will follow. I am determined to share the experience with the young generations who are interested in this vital sector for the UAE,” he added.

Hazzaa Al Mansoori briefs media during the press conference.

“In the UAE, we persevere in any field we enter. We are now working in the space sector and manned missions, and we will continue to do so,” Hazzaa stated; referring that, “the mission had another objective, which is presenting a role model for the next generation to look up to. Thank you, wise leadership for creating a motivational environment for everyone.”

Regarding the scientific studies, Hazzaa said he participated in 16 study before, during, and after the mission; including six studies performed at the ISS in a nearly zero-gravity environment, in partnership with international space agencies.

He further highlighted that he is in good health and recovering swiftly.

“Scientific mission conducted aimed at studying the microgravity effect on the human heart, and vital bodily functions, balance, in addition to sensory time adjustment during short-term space missions, as information available on short-term missions are very limited,” Hazzaa said.

“The region had other Arab astronauts including Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz from KSA, and Mohamed Fares from Syria; however, they did not go through the similar scientific experiments. Performed on an Arab for the first time, the scientific studies have added value to our mission,” Hazzaa explained.

“It is fundamental for the future of the UAE’s manned space missions to have joined other countries in having scientific studies conducted abroad ISS.”

Hazzaa has addressed the Arab region in a message during the press conference, saying, “The Arab region has to scoop this opportunity to start planning for future generations in the space sector,” he said.

“Children nowadays speak about Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi. The generation witnessing this mission, are inspired to become part of significant scientific fields in 20 years from now,” he added.

Hazzaa returned to earth aboard the Soyuz MS-12, after concluding historic mission to the ISS on Oct.3, 2019, spending eight days through which he conducted a number of intense scientific experiments, including MBRSC’s “Science in Space” initiative.

Carrying on his scientific mission, Hazzaa, conducted a number of studies, including thorough medical studies by specialists, and overseen by Doctor Hanan Al Suwaidi, in the Yuri Gagarin centre at Stars City in Moscow, Russia.

Six of these experiments were conducted in microgravity to study the reaction of vital indicators of the human body aboard the ISS, Brain DTI, Osteology, motor control, time perception in microgravity, Fluidics (fluid dynamics in space), and DNAm-Age. 

Hazzaa was the first astronaut from the Arab region to participate in such research.

Hazzaa’s mission is the first outcome of UAE Astronaut Programme.

The UAE Astronaut Programme is funded by the ICT fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Launched in 2007, this fund, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, aims towards supporting research and development within the ICT sector in the UAE, helping it to grow into a nationally significant industry with a leading place in the world.