The ‘Zayed 2’ mission reflects our leaders’ boundless vision and marks a remarkable milestone in the UAE’s space journey, says Sheikh Hamdan

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the UAE’s successful accomplishments in the space sector are a testament to the visionary leadership of the nation, led by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. These achievements not only underscore the nation’s commitment to the space sector but also reinforce the UAE’s status as a regional and global leader in space exploration.

Sheikh Hamdan praised the dedication of the team at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) for their tireless efforts over the past six months, to ensure the success of Sultan Al Neyadi’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and their continuous follow up to accomplish the longest Arab space mission and ensure the UAE astronaut’s safe return home. “With the successful accomplishment of Sultan Al Neyadi’s mission to space, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre has completed another momentous achievement. The ‘Zayed 2’ mission reflects our leaders’ boundless vision and marks a remarkable milestone in the UAE’s space journey.

This mission has not only made history but also demonstrated the capabilities of Emiratis,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “My gratitude to every member of the MBRSC team for their exemplary commitment. Together, we continue to set new benchmarks for innovation and excellence. I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in our space exploration journey,” he added. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre plays a key role in shaping the UAE’s future in space sector by contributing to the development of the national space industry and supporting the development of a sustainable national economy.

The Centre has played a vital role in numerous space missions, including the mission of Hazza Al Mansouri, the first UAE astronaut to visit the International Space Station, the Hope Probe mission aimed at exploring Mars, and the launch of KhalifaSat in 2018, the first satellite fully designed and manufactured in the UAE. A couple of days ago, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has hailed the return of Sultan Al Neyadi as a moment of national pride for the UAE.

Sheikh Mohamed was joined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to witness the triumphant homecoming of the UAE astronaut. Their Highnesses greeted Sultan Al Neyadi upon his arrival at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport following a flight from the US, where he has been since returning from his historic six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. In honour of his return, the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatic team performed a flypast over the airport after his flight landed.

Their Highnesses Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid spent time in conversation with Sultan Al Neyadi – accompanied by his father and three of his children – and discussed aspects of the mission and his experience during his time in space. They congratulated him for completing the longest ever space flight by an Arab astronaut and becoming the first Arab to perform a spacewalk. Their Highnesses hailed Sultan as an inspiration to young people across the UAE and the world, and remarked that his pioneering achievement reflected the boundless ambitions of the nation.

Sheikh Mohamed noted that the people of the UAE are united in pride for the remarkable achievement, while His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid described Sultan’s mission as not only a notable milestone in the UAE’s scientific advancements, but also a reflection of the nation’s priority of investing in its people, which began under the Founding Fathers and continues today. The UAE astronaut thanked Their Highnesses for their ongoing support for the UAE’s space programme, and then presented His Highness the President with a UAE flag that had accompanied him throughout his 186-day mission to the ISS.