Sultan Al Neyadi to return to UAE on Monday after space mission

Hero's welcome expected following six months on space station

Sultan Al Neyadi gives the thumbs up after leaving the Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi with, from left, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg and fellow US astronaut Stephen Bowen, inside the SpaceX Dragon capsule, on the recovery ship Megan, after splashdown. Photo: Nasa

Ground crew enter the SpaceX Dragon capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX capsule is lifted out of the water. Photo: Nasa

Support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon capsule shortly after splashdown. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule's parachutes are deployed to slow its descent. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule travels back towards Earth. Photo: Nasa

The International Space Station as seen by the SpaceX Dragon capsule after undocking. Photo: Nasa

The rockets of the SpaceX Dragon capsule's firing immediately after leaving the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

A graphic published by Nasa to illustrate the SpaceX Dragon capsule's trajectory immediately after leaving the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

The Dragon capsule moves away from the International Space Station after undocking. The white light in the centre is an interior light of the capsule. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule docked on the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

Ground control before the mission. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi puts on his space suit before departing the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

The SpaceX Dragon capsule being prepared for departure from the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa

Sultan Al Neyadi looks at Earth from the International Space Station before leaving. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi / Twitter

The Mubadala building in Abu Dhabi is lit up to mark Sultan Al Neyadi's return to Earth from the International Space Station. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Mubadala building is lit up to mark Sultan Al Neyadi's return to Earth from the International Space Station. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is set to return to the Emirates on Monday after his six-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS).

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre announced his homecoming date on Thursday.

Dr Al Neyadi landed back on Earth on September 4 and has been taking part in a recovery programme in Houston, Texas, to help him readapt to gravity.

"It is now time for his homecoming," the space centre said.

"Stay tuned for his return to the UAE on 18 September, following the completion of the longest Arab space mission in history."

Dr Al Neyadi set a few firsts during his time on the ISS, including completing the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut.

He is set to receive a hero's welcome in the UAE, with celebrations to be held in his honour.

Dr Al Neyadi followed in the footsteps of colleague Hazza Al Mansouri, who in 2019 became the first Emirati in space.

When Maj Al Mansouri returned from his eight-day mission on the ISS, he was received by President Sheikh Mohamed, with a small celebration held on his behalf.

Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, told The National in an earlier interview that preparations were under way to welcome Dr Al Neyadi, including meetings with leaders, celebrations and roadshows.

“When he’s back on Earth, he’ll first go into a kind of medical rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, blood [tests] and a lot of science work that will need to be completed in those first days," he said.

“Then he’ll come to the UAE and participate in a lot of activities before going back to the US to continue his debrief.”

Dr Al Neyadi gave his first public address on Tuesday when he took part in an online briefing hosted by Nasa.

He spoke about some of his favourite memories while on the station, including eating mango salad, playing chess and taking photos of Earth during his spacewalk.

He also shared insights on his struggle of adjusting to gravity soon after landing back on Earth.

"It felt really, really heavy," Dr Al Neyadi said.

"I was the last one to egress the capsule and I didn't notice my straps were off until the recovery team started to pull me, and I thought, 'Wow, it was only my weight pressing me towards the seat.'

"I remember Steve [colleague Stephen Bowen] handing me a bottle of water. It felt really heavy. I just did not drink it because I didn't want to move a lot.

"But it's amazing how quickly you can get better by the hour."

After his next mission debrief in the US, Dr Al Neyadi will return to the UAE for a longer stay involving another series of roadshows across the country, so he can share his experiences with the public.