Sheikh Hamdan praises team behind Sultan Al Neyadi's successful UAE space mission

Crown Prince of Dubai says it demonstrated the capabilities of Emiratis

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with employees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre during a homecoming reception for UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, left, at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport terminal. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, greets members of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed and Maj Gen Essa Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, attend a homecoming reception Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed greets Reem Al Neyadi, daughter of Dr Al Neyadi, during the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikha Hassa bint Mohamed, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Dr Al Neyadi at the reception, which comes after the astronaut spent six months at the International Space Station. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, receive Dr Al Neyadi during a homecoming reception at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Dr Al Neyadi greets his father Saif Al Neyadi and his children during the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Hazza Al Mansouri, right, attends the homecoming for Dr Al Neyadi, who spent six months at the International Space Station. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed greets a member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed greets Maj Gen Talal Al Falasi, vice president of the Mohamed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stand for a photograph with Dr Al Neyadi and family members. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikha Salama bint Mohamed attend the reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, sit with Hazza Al Mansouri at the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attends the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attends the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed shakes hands with Dr Al Neyadi after he arrived in the UAE. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stand for a group photo with Dr Al Neyadi. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati in space, and astronauts Mohamed Al Mulla and Noura Al Matrooshi were also present. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Dr Al Neyadi greets his children at Abu Dhabi International Airport's new Terminal A. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Dr Al Neyadi return home after six months in space. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

The Emirati astronaut returned to the UAE on Monday. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media

Dr Al Neyadi with his children and father, Saif Al Neyadi, right. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed receives the UAE flag that travelled to the International Space Station with Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

'Our national flag has made its way to space for the second time,' Dr Al Neyadi told Sheikh Mohamed. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed unfurled the flag for television cameras. UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Tahnoun with Maj Al Mansouri, Dr Al Neyadi, Mr Al Mulla and Ms Al Matrooshi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with Dr Al Neyadi, Maj Al Mansouri, Mr Al Mulla and Ms Al Matrooshi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

From left, Saud Karmustaji, director of strategic communication at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Dr Al Neyadi, Salem Al Marri, MBRSC director general and Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati in space, speak at Abu Dhabi International Airport's Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dr Al Neyadi is greeted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: @MBRSpaceCentre / X

Dr Al Neyadi arrives home. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media

A live-stream took place of Dr Al Neyadi's meeting with UAE Rulers on Monday evening. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dr Al Neyadi spent six months on the International Space Station. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Preparations were under way from early on Monday for Dr Al Neyadi's arrival at the new Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dr Al Neyadi's plane lands in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media

Awaiting Dr Al Neyadi's arrival at Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Dr Al Neyadi, who was born in Al Ain, made history by becoming the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Giant screens were spread across the terminal displaying portraits of the astronaut with messages welcoming him home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has praised the teams at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for conducting a successful space mission.

The Crown Prince of Dubai said the mission has reinforced the UAE's status as a regional and global leader in space exploration, state news agency Wam reported on Wednesday.

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi returned to the UAE after his historic six-month visit to the International Space Station on Monday.

He praised the teams at MBRSC for their dedication over the last six months, their continuous follow up to accomplish the longest Arab space trip and ensuring the astronaut's safe return home.

"With the successful accomplishment of Sultan Al Neyadi's mission to space, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has completed another momentous achievement," Sheikh Hamdan, who is also chairman of the MBRSC, said.

"The Zayed 2 mission reflects our leaders' boundless vision and marks a remarkable milestone in the UAE's space journey."

Sheikh Hamdan said the mission has demonstrated the capabilities of Emiratis and shared his gratitude to the MBRSC teams for their "exemplary commitment".

"Together we continue to set new benchmarks for innovation and excellence. I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in our space exploration journey," he added.

The Emirati astronaut returned to the UAE on Monday to a grand reception, with President Sheikh Mohamed and Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meeting him at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Dr Al Neyadi became the first Arab to carry out an extended space mission, as well as the first Arab to perform a spacewalk.

He took part in more than 200 experiments on the orbiting outpost that were assigned to him by Nasa and universities in the UAE.

The MBRSC develops research, projects and studies on space to support the UAE's drive for advancing the sector and building national knowledge and scientific capabilities.