UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has made history by completing the first Arab spacewalk.
The seven-hour mission was watched by thousands of Arabs, space-lovers, science enthusiasts and people all around the world as Neyadi and fellow astronaut Stephen Bowen of the USA climbed out of a hatch on the International Space Station and entered into space.
The spacewalk began at 5.11pm UAE time and concluded when the astronauts had returned back into an airlock at just after midnight.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan lauded Al Neyadi’s achievement.
Taking to Twitter Sheikh Mohamed said: “With this week’s discoveries by the Hope probe, the achievements of the Rashid rover mission, and Sultan Al Neyadi’s first-ever spacewalk by an Arab astronaut, the UAE continues to make a meaningful contribution to space exploration and advancements in science.”
The astronauts were outside the International Space Station to conduct routine maintenance work on the structure.
Al Neyadi, wearing a high-tech space suit and tethered only by a simple safety harness, moved around the ISS guided by NASA colleagues in ground control.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai shared his pride in the achievement.
In a moving post on social media, he said: “After three years of intensive training, today we saw Sultan Al Neyadi on the first mission to walk in outer space, carrying out missions to install new parts and carry out maintenance on the International Space Station, the first Emirati, the first Arab, the first Muslim, to walk in outer space. We are proud of that.
“They say that two-thirds of the stars in the sky bear Arabic names. Arabs are capable. Arabs are coming. Arabs are creative if we decide to focus on science, invest in youth and stay away from differences.”
Moments after stepping back onto the International Space Station Al Neyadi addressed the world in both English and Arabic.
He said: “It’s a great moment for the UAE. I would like to thank the leadership of the UAE and also the USA. Also thank you to MBRSC and NASA for believing in us and for giving us this opportunity.
“It is the first in the Arab world, but definitely won’t be the last. We have astronauts training now to undergo missions to the ISS, for the Moon and Mars. I would like to thank everybody for this moment”.
While Al Neyadi was outside the ISS, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of the UAE and Chairman of The Executive Council congratulated the UAE on the historic moment.
