First Saudi female astronaut says 'hello from outer space'

Rayyanah Barnawi and fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al Qarni due to reach International Space Station on Monday evening

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

Latest: As it happened: Saudi Arabia sends its first female astronaut into space

Two Saudi astronauts are making their way to the International Space Station, after a historic launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida early on Monday.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab woman to go on a space mission, and fellow Saudi Ali Al Qarni are aboard a Dragon spacecraft, along with American colleagues Peggy Whitson and Jeff Shoffner.

They are expected to dock at the space station at 5.24pm Gulf Standard Time – with the hatch between the Dragon and the ISS opening at 7.13pm and a welcome ceremony for the new crew members at 7.45pm.

Ms Barnawi, 33, spoke live from the Dragon capsule, as she and her colleagues journey towards the orbiting outpost for an eight-day stay.

“Hello from outer space,” the research laboratory scientist said.

“It feels amazing to be viewing Earth from this capsule. We're here feeling microgravity, thanks to our kingdom of Saudi Arabia and our leaders King Salman and the visionary Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“Special thanks to my grandmother and my awesome family and friends.

“And to the people around the world – the future is very big. I want you to dream big and believe in yourselves and believe in humanity.”

Once the astronauts arrive at the ISS, they will join the UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi, who is there for a six-month mission.

This will bring the total number of Arabs together in space at one time to three – a record number.

Mr Al Qarni said during the live stream that he believed their arrival in space was “historic for every Saudi”.

“As I look outside into space, I can't help but think that it's the start of a great journey for all of us,” he said.

The four crew members are travelling on the Axiom 2 mission, a privately-led trip to the ISS arranged by Houston company Axiom Space.

About 20 experiments have been assigned to the astronauts during their stay in space – including 14 given to Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni by Saudi researchers.

Ms Barnawi will use her decade-long experience in stem cell research to carry out an experiment sent by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh.

It involves studying the inflammatory response of human immune cells in microgravity.

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

The Saudi astronauts will also conduct an experiment related to cloud seeding.

They will test cloud-seeding techniques in a reaction chamber.