UAE astronaut Al Neyadi posts special message ahead of ISS mission

Just hours ahead of the historic International Space Station (ISS) mission, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi posted a special social media message along with a picture of his son.

"Today, we fly to pave the way for the next generations," he wrote.

AlNeyadi is part of Crew-6 that will carry out the longest Arab space mission in history.

The lift-off has been scheduled at 10:45 am (UAE time) on February 27 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the United States. 

نذهب للفضاء اليوم لكي نمهد الطريق لأجيال الغد بإذن الله. 🇦🇪

Today we fly to pave the way for the next generations. 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/rSxvpvFPPK

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) February 26, 2023

During the Prelaunch News Teleconference for Crew-6 mission, Adnan Al Rais, Mission Manager of the UAE Astronaut Programme, said they are very excited to arrive at the "launch phase". 

A word by Adnan AlRais, Mission Manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, during the Prelaunch News Teleconference for Crew-6 mission.#UAE2space#TheLongestArabSpaceMission pic.twitter.com/kSEz3n0AJA

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 26, 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, explains the importance of the ISS, hosting astronauts continuously since 2000.

AlNeyadi will be carrying out aboard the ISS the longest Arab space mission in history.#TheLongestArabSpaceMission pic.twitter.com/JFT3JZBTz3

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 25, 2023

The live coverage of the launch will begin at 7:30 am on Sunday.

Watch the live coverage of the Prelaunch News Teleconference – Crew-6 Mission on 26 February at approximately 7:30 AM (UAE time): https://t.co/IuVr4LYkl2

Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi is launching as part of Crew-6 to carry out the longest Arab space mission in history.#UAE2space pic.twitter.com/Pkd9Yn9wtV

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) February 25, 2023