We have so much to learn, says UAE space chief after Emirati reaches orbit

Director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre looks forward to the knowledge to be gained from the mission

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi enters the International Space Station for the first time, on Friday. Photo: Nasa

Dr Al Neyadi helps his fellow astronauts as they prepare to enter the space station. Photo: Nasa

Astronauts already on board the ISS prepare to receive the SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts. Photo: Nasa

The Dragon capsule docks on the ISS. Photo: Nasa

The capsule approaches the space station for docking. Photo: Nasa

The capsule as seen from the ISS. Photo: Nasa

The astronauts watch the docking process on their screens inside the Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX mission control room. Photo: Nasa

The Dragon capsule during 'Waypoint 1' of its approach to the space station. Photo: Nasa

A photo taken from the space station shows the capsule above Earth. Photo: Nasa

The ISS as seen from the capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AFP

Skies above the Kennedy Space Centre lit up after the rocket lifted off. Photo: nasa

A long exposure shot of the rocket hurtling towards space. AFP

The Crew-6 astronauts in zero gravity after launch. Photo: NASA

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, watches from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre as the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off . Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan watches as the rocket carrying Dr Al Neyadi makes its way. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The crew monitoring their operation screens. Photo: NASA

The rear capsule. Photo: NASA

The rocket firing. Photo: NASA

Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Nasa astronauts Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen, and the UAE's Dr Al Neyadi moments before blast-off. Photo: Nasa

Ground teams prepare the astronauts for launch. Photo: Nasa

Dr Al Neyadi prepares to board the spacecraft. Photo: Nasa

The cars carrying the astronauts approach the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo: Nasa

Maj Fedyaev, Dr Hoburg and Capt Bowen, and Dr Al Neyadi head to the launch pad. AP

Dr Al Neyadi waves to family members. AP

Dr Al Neyadi said he was ready to see space this morning as the Crew-6 astronauts prepared to board. AP

UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the space centre to watch the launch. Sarwat Nasir / The National

Adnan Al Rais, manager of the UAE's second mission to the International Space Station, at the space centre. Sarwat Nasir / The National

The UAE's latest venture into space will provide a valuable learning opportunity, with six months' worth of experiments ahead, the director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre said.

Salem Al Marri, in charge of the centre since December 2021, said the scientific studies conducted during Sultan Al Neyadi’s time on board the International Space Station will offer a valuable insight into the effects of space on the human body.

Dr Al Neyadi, the second Emirati in space, is now in orbit around Earth and on course to dock at the International Space Station.

“There is much we are hoping to learn from this mission,” Mr Al Marri said.

“There will be a lot of human life sciences with more than 20 different experiments with UAE universities and international universities so this is something really big for us.

“We will have an in-depth education programme where we will try to reach every school in the UAE through simple experiments and YouTube videos.

“There will be live chats with astronauts [too], so we are excited for this six month mission.”

The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off with Dr Al Neyadi on board on Thursday. Docking is expected at the ISS on Friday at 10.17am UAE time, and hatch opening at 11.55am.

His fellow astronaut and friend Hazza Al Mansouri said it was the perfect night to launch into space.

Interviewed live on Nasa TV alongside Mr Al Marri, Maj Al Mansouri said the long wait was finally over after technical issues forced the launch to be delayed by three days.

Speaking before the launch, Maj Al Mansouri said he could relate to what the astronauts would be anticipating the most.

“Sultan is super excited about this launch as it will be his first mission, and Woody’s [Warren 'Woody' Hoburg], so they can’t wait to experience the weightlessness and start conducting science experiments,” said Maj Al Mansouri, who watched from the sidelines in Florida before the re-scheduled launch.

“It is a beautiful night for launch so hopefully it will happen. We are looking forward to seeing them floating.”

After lift-off, Mak Al Mansouri reflected on his first experience of a space launch as an observer.

"This is the first rocket launch I've ever seen, and I'm at a loss for words to express how happy I am to see my brother Sultan soar through the heavens," Maj Al Mansouri wrote on Twitter.