Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi to receive hero's welcome on return to UAE

Live-stream of celebration takes place from 5.30pm UAE time on Monday

Al Sanawbar School is celebrating Sultan Al Neyadi's space mission by decorating the building with posters and pupils' artwork. Al Sanawbar School

Dr Al Neyadi, pictured with his nephew, Mohammed Saif Al Neyadi, standing slightly in front of him, at an astronaut event also attended by Hazza Al Mansouri. Photo: Al Sanawbar School

Fatima Alblooshi, a freshman at UAE University studying aerospace engineering, hopes to follow in Dr Al Neyadi's footsteps one day. Photo: Fatima Alblooshi

Wadima Mohammed, a sophomore studying aerospace engineering at UAE University, looks up to Dr Al Neyadi and feels proud to be from Al Ain. Photo: Wadima Mohammed

Naila Saif Al Neyadi, second from left, participates in her school's morning assembly, which celebrated Dr Al Neyadi space mission. Photo: Naila Saif Al Neyadi

Adel Alobeidli, principal of Um Ghafa School in Al Ain. Photo: Adel Alobeidli

A pupil at Al Sanawbar School holds a picture of Dr Al Neyadi in celebration of his space mission. Al Sanawbar School

UAE astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi is scheduled to return to the Emirates on Monday after completing six months aboard the International Space Station.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre on Sunday said he was due to arrive in the country at around 5.30pm.

A hero's welcome will greet Dr Al Neyadi in Abu Dhabi, with a live media event planned.

People can tune into a live-stream from 5.30pm at mbrsc.ae/live/ and on YouTube.

Dr Al Neyadi returned to Earth on September 4 after a six-month mission that included his science lessons in English and Arabic for young people around the world.

He also carried out a spacewalk to lay cables and insulation on the station.

Since his return two weeks ago, he has been in a recovery programme in Houston, Texas, to help him readapt to gravity.

In a one-minute video posted by Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to X, formerly Twitter, Dr Al Neyadi expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped to make his space mission a success.

“Greetings! And this time from Earth!” he said.

“Thank you so much everybody for the support. We're back and it has been an incredible journey going to space – spending six months aboard the ISS.

“I'm really happy with the achievements we've made,” he said. “It's only the beginning and hopefully we will continue this journey with other people from the UAE and the region.”