Monday, September 5, 2022 – 10:03 PM
Al Ain, September 5 / WAM / His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him”, today visited the home of astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Umm Ghafa area of Al Ain.
His Highness exchanged cordial conversations with Al Neyadi and his family, expressing his pride in the people of the Emirates who are adding qualitative achievements to themselves and their country.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was assured of Al Neyadi’s preparations for his next mission to the International Space Station, which will last for six months, as he is the first Arab astronaut to undertake this mission.
He said that the UAE will continue to strengthen its position in various sciences.
Especially modern sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced technology and others, with the vigor and capabilities of its children.. He praised the determination of astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi and his quest to achieve achievements for his country, and expressed his confidence in his abilities and capabilities to achieve a new success in the name of the UAE.
For his part, Al Neyadi expressed his happiness and pride in the visit of His Highness the President of the State, praising His Highness’ keenness on his continuous personal follow-up to his preparations for the historic mission.
He expressed his thanks to the wise leadership for the precious confidence that it has given him to represent the state, stressing that he is fully prepared to accomplish the long-term mission, which is the first for Arab astronauts.
His Highness was accompanied during the visit by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court.
Sultan Al Neyadi was a backup astronaut for Hazza Al Mansouri on the UAE’s first scientific mission to space aboard the International Space Station in September 2019 under the slogan “Zayed’s Ambition.” He is one of the pioneers of the first batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, which was launched in 2017 to train a team of Emirati astronauts, preparing them and sending them into space to carry out various scientific missions.
Wam / Asim Al-Khouli