Hazza Al Mansouri to give talk at Dubai's Museum of the Future

UAE's first astronaut will open up about the country's burgeoning space programme

Hazza Al Mansouri, shortly after arriving back on Earth. Photo: MBRSC

Hazza Al Mansouri wears an Emirati kandura on board the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri takes live Q&A from space and gives a tour of ISS. Screengrab via Youtube Live

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid talks with Emirati astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, during a live satellite feed from the International Space Station. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Hazza Al Mansouri answers questions from Emirati students studying in Japan during a live session on Monday. Photo: Jaxa

One of the pictures Hazza Al Mansouri took while onboard the International Space Station. Photo: Hazza Al Mansouri

Hazza Al Mansouri having breakfast aboard the International Space Station. The UAE's first astronaut received the Nasa Distinguished Public Service Medal in recognition of his service. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomes Hazza Al Mansouri to Abu Dhabi. Wam

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, presents a certificate to Astronaut Major Hazza Al Mansouri at Khalifa University Graduation Ceremony at Emirates Palace in 2019. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

UAE astronauts Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi tell of their experiences on the UAE space mission during a press conference in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National 

Maj Hazza Al Mansouri with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office 

UAE's first astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri inside the Kibo lab on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Jaxa 

 Hazza Al Mansouri was the first person from the United Arab Emirates to go into space. National Geographic 

Hazza Al Mansouri (left) and Sultan Al Neyadi carried the hopes of a nation as they prepared to venture into space. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Hazza Al Mansouri arrives at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturday. Wam

Hazza Al Mansouri is tended to by ground crews. Nasa / Youtube screengrab

Hazza Al Mansouri posted the image of the Soyuz to his Twitter page. 

History-making Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri will discuss the future of the UAE's growing space programme in Dubai next week.

Maj Al Mansouri, who etched his name in the records as the first UAE citizen to blast off into space in September, 2019, will give a keynote address at the Museum of the Future on Wednesday.

Maj Al Mansouri spent eight days on board the International Space Station, a milestone achievement for the Arab world.

He will offer unique insight into life in space for the latest Future Talks series, part of the museum's strategy to shed light on influential Arab and international figures.

Maj Al Mansouri will also aim to inspire the next generation of intrepid travellers by hosting a storytelling session with children at the culture spot.

The museum will also feature a mini-exhibition displaying items from the astronaut's time in space, including his space suit, the kind of food he ate, and a photo gallery documenting his journey.

Tickets are free for the talk, which runs from 4.30pm until 7pm.

Tickets can be booked here.

A launchpad for stellar success

The UAE's space ambitions continue to soar to new heights, with the Hope probe currently orbiting Mars, a landmark Moon mission just weeks away and plans in place to explore the asteroid belt and complete a fly-by of Venus.

The country's astronaut fleet has doubled to four since Maj A Mansouri's momentous flight, with Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut, now part of the ranks.

Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, reserve astronaut for Maj Al Mansouri's trip to the ISS, is gearing for his own mission next year.

He will spend six months onboard the ISS in the Spring, lifting off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre.

Both Maj Al Mansouri and Dr Al Neyadi have completed extensive training at Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.