Sultan Al Neyadi's space mission — in pictures

Sultan Al Neyadi lifts-off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida before docking with the International Space Station

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

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