Sultan Al Neyadi is the first Arab astronaut on a long-term mission that takes six months to the ISS.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, affirmed his pride in Sultan Al Neyadi and among the UAE's youth, who are working to raise the flag of the nation and enhance its contributions to the service of humanity.

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi along with two Nasa astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut blasted off to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday morning.

The SpaceX Dragon Crew-6 mission launched at 12:34 am (09.34am  UAE time) from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a livestream of the launch showed.

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Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said, “I join the nation in congratulating Sultan Al Neyadi as he begins his pioneering mission aboard the International Space Station. His inspiring achievement is a source of great pride to the UAE and another milestone in the journey of our nation and the ambitions of our people.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, “The son of the Emirates, Sultan Al Neyadi, launched into space today to be the first Arab astronaut on a long-term mission that takes six months to the International Space Station.”

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and President of MBRSC, watched the launch of the longest Arab space mission in history from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai.

He thanked staff and experts for their tireless efforts in making the mission a success.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi tweeted, “The UAE continues to achieve Zayed's ambition by establishing an advanced space sector that records successive global achievements. Congratulations to my brother @Astro_Alneyadi who launched into space today on the #longest_Arab_space_mission for a period of 6 months to @Space_Station.”

Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology said, “A historic and important journey full of hope. We live the details of it with the launch of the son of the Emirates @Astro_Alneyadi to board the International Space Station. All thanks to Their Highnesses for their unlimited trust and support.”

Emirati astronaut Al Neyadi thanked the wise leadership of UAE, his father, mother and family for their support and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre for the trust in his first message from Dragon capsule after the successful launch.