UAE sees the launch of first Emirati into space
Hazzaa al-Mansoori has become the first Emirati in space. Al-Mansoori, a former Emirati F-16 pilot, was launched from the Russian spaceport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday on a trip to the International Space Station.
Also onboard were astronauts Jessica Meir of NASA and Oleg Skripochka of Russia.
Al-Mansoori tweeted about his journey, writing: "A few hours before launch and I’m filled with this indescribable feeling of glory and awe.
"Today I carry the dreams and ambition of my country to a whole new dimension. May Allah grant me success in this mission. Your brother, Hazzaa AlMansoori."
“I will try to remember each second of the launch itself,” Mr. al-Mansoori said during a news conference this month. “Because it will be really very important for me to share it with everyone and my country, the entire world and the Arab region.”
Al-Mansoori will help conduct a series of experiments and conduct a tour of the space station in Arabic.
He is due to head back to Earth on 3rd October.
In Dubai, a crowd gathered at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to watch the launch. Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, lit up the moment of blast-off.
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