New launch date set for astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's ISS mission

Emirati Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi arrived at the Kennedy Space Centre along with Crew-6 as the launch of the historic International Space Station (ISS) mission was rescheduled to February 27.

During a flight readiness media briefing, SpaceX said they needed "the extra time" for launch preparations, moving the date of the first Arab long-duration astronaut mission to February 27 at 10:45 am (UAE time).

In a series of tweets, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) confirmed the news, adding that the live telecast of the launch will begin at 7:30 am. 

The new launch date and time of the first Arab long-duration astronaut mission is scheduled for 27 February at 10:45 AM (UAE time).#UAEMission2#UAEAstronautProgramme pic.twitter.com/FfDORGq7LG

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 21, 2023

 Adnan Al Rayes, Mission Director of the UAE Astronaut Programme, confirmed being ready for the UAE's second astronaut mission, noting that it took five years of preparations.

أكد عدنان الريس، مدير المهمة، برنامج الإمارات لرواد الفضاء، خلال المؤتمر المخصص لمراجعة استعدادات مهمة Crew-6، الاستعداد لثاني مهمة لرواد الفضاء الإماراتيين وأول مهمة طويلة الأمد لرواد الفضاء العرب، مشيراً إلى أن التحضيرات لها استغرقت 5 سنوات.#طموح_زايد pic.twitter.com/4q85j2Ec9V

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 22, 2023

Alongside Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, Al Neyadi will be carrying out 19 science experiments assigned to him by several UAE universities.

Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, Mission Specialist, Primary Crew, Crew-6, speaks about the science experiments that the mission team will conduct on the International Space Station.#UAEMission2#UAEAstronautProgramme pic.twitter.com/tD0H0FLJLB

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 21, 2023

International Space Station Deputy Programme Manager Dana Wigel explained that Crew- 6 will undergo a "dry dress" on Friday, February 24, whereby the astronauts will go through a detailed step-by-step practice of the launch day. Following that they will be able to spend time with their families before departing for the mission. 

Al Rais added that the "scientific community in the UAE, including researchers and students, will be taking part in the mission, which includes an educational and outreach programme".

"An MBRSC team from the Mission Control Centre in Dubai will also support the mission while another team will be dispatched to Houston," he added.

Watch the launch on 26 February. The live coverage will begin from 7:30 AM (UAE time) while the mission will launch at 11:07 AM (UAE time).

Link to the live coverage: https://t.co/tx0n331zSQ#UAEMission2#UAEAstronautProgramme pic.twitter.com/XJ6et30uR7

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 21, 2023