Rayyanah Barnawi becomes first Saudi woman in space

The astronaut was launched to the International Space Station alongside compatriot Ali Al Qarni

Top row from left, Ali Al Qarni, John Shoffner, Rayyanah Barnawi and Peggy Whitson, pose for a picture with current residents of the International Space Station. The space station has rolled out the welcome mat for the two Saudi visitors, including the kingdom's first female astronaut. AP

Mission specialist Ms Barnawi is given a pin for becoming the 600th astronaut by Axiom Mission 2 Commander Ms Whitson after their crew's arrival on the ISS. Reuters

Mr Al Qarni and Ms Barnawi rehydrate alongside two cosmonauts on the ISS. AP

Mr Al Qarni and Ms Barnawi arrive on the ISS. Reuters

The Saudi astronauts and their crewmates after their SpaceX capsule docked at the ISS. AP

The Sun rises over the ISS after the SpaceX capsule docks. AP

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries two Saudi and two American astronauts to space on May 22, 1.27am GST. Photo: SpaceX

The Dragon spacecraft carrying two Saudi and two American astronauts separates from the Falcon 9 rocket and begins its 16-hour journey to the ISS. Photo: SpaceX

The Ax-2 crew members experience zero-g after launching into space. Photo: SpaceX

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Ax-2 crew launches from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Photo: SpaceX

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre. Getty

Mr Al Qarni is seen praying before boarding the Dragon spacecraft. Photo: SpaceX

Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni on the crew access arm to board the Dragon spacecraft. Photo: SpaceX

The Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon on top. Photo: SpaceX

The Ax-2 crew inside the Dragon spacecraft, as they waited for a lift-off. Photo: SpaceX

The Dragon spacecraft, which is carrying the Ax-2 crew members. Photo: SpaceX

Ms Barnawi blows kisses to family members upon her arrival at the Kennedy Space Centre. AFP

Mr Al Qarni greets family and friends as he arrives at the Kennedy Space Centre. AP

As it happened: SpaceX launches two Saudi astronauts to space

Rayyanah Barnawi has become the first Saudi woman to go into space, after being launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early on Monday.

The research scientist blasted off as part of the privately led Axiom 2 mission to the International Space Station, alongside colleague Ali Al Qarni and Americans Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner, for an eight-day trip.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the crew members to space at 1.37am UAE time from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The Dragon spacecraft separated from the rocket at 1.50am to begin its 16-hour journey to the orbiting outpost, with arrival expected at 6pm.

They will join the UAE’s Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, who is on the station for a six-month science mission.

“I never thought that I would ever be going to space, but at the same time it feels like a dream come true. It's an overwhelming feeling,” Ms Barnawi said in a pre-launch video released by Axiom Space, the Houston company that helped to arrange the trip for Saudi Arabia.

“It honestly feels like I am representing all Saudis' ambitions, all females and all researchers as well.

“It's a big honour to be able to go to space and at the same time do the things that you love the most.”

Saudi Arabia’s renewed interest in space

This is the maiden trip for Saudi Arabia’s new astronaut programme, which was announced last year.

Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni are the second Saudi citizens in space after Prince Sultan bin Salman, who travelled in Nasa's space shuttle for a week-long trip in 1985.

When he returned, the kingdom did not set up a long-term space exploration programme.

Now, Saudi Arabia has renewed its ambitions in space, with a "sustainable" astronaut programme.

What’s the Axiom 2 mission?

The Ax-2 crew have been assigned 20 science experiments, including 14 given to Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni by Saudi researchers.

One of the experiments is to test cloud-seeding techniques in a reaction chamber.

They will also perform a trial that involves studying the inflammatory response of human immune cells in microgravity.

They will investigate changes in mRNA – a genetic material that tells the body how to make proteins.