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The Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi made history by completing the longest Arab space mission in history, with a 6-month mission abroad the International Space Station.
On Saturday September 2, 2023, Al Neyadi, is all set to leave the International Space Station and begin his 24-hour journey back to earth.
We began the mission as crewmates, but now we’re brothers.
Over the last 6 months, I gained a new family – with whom I shared expertise, traditions, and cultures, and experienced beautiful and challenging moments while creating unforgettable memories together. pic.twitter.com/Y31GcfIvtr— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) August 31, 2023
During his time away, he shared a heartfelt, video of him and the six-crew members savouring a meal together with the anti-gravity effect.
He said, “We began the mission as crewmates, but now we’re brothers. Over the last 6 months, I gained a new family – with whom I shared expertise, traditions and cultures and experienced beautiful and challenging moments while creating unforgettable memories together.”
Where to live-stream his return
For everyone eager to see his return in real-time, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre has announced that his return will be live-streamed.
The Dragon Spacecraft will carry the Emirati astronaut along with his fellow crew-6 members from the ISS to the touchdown, with viewers to experience this live. It will kick off on September 2, 2023 at 3pm with the undocking of the spacecraft to take place at 5.05 pm.
When did his mission begin?
On this planet, I leave behind everyone I love and take off to space..
I leave behind a country that has forged its way to stars and lit its path with Zayed’s Ambition..
I leave you all behind until we meet again from space..
Your brother, Sultan Al Neyadi. pic.twitter.com/vgbTNXlSvj
— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) February 27, 2023
Despite an obstacle of not being able to leave on February 26, 2023, Engineers and Space X rescheduled a new launch date for the situation which took place more than 24 hours later after it occurred.
He said, “On this planet, I leave behind everyone I love and take off to space. I leave you all behind until we meet again from space.”
He entered space for the first time in March 2023, making it the longest Arab space mission for NASA, while also completing the first Arab spacewalk on April 28, 2023, making this a key moment in history for the books.
Swipe through to see all the memorable photos from his journey over the last six months.
