UAE to announce two more astronauts in January 2021

More than 3,000 Emiratis have applied so far for the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme.

That’s according to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which revealed that more than a third of the applicants are women.

It has also seen registrations from people who are as young as 17.

"The applicants are from different Emirates and areas of study in the hopes of being part of the second UAE mission to space," said Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director-General of the MBRSC.

"Most of them are from Abu Dhabi, followed by Dubai and then Sharjah. As many as 31 per cent of the participants had a degree in engineering while 17 per cent were either pilots or aerospace engineers."

The deadline for applications is March 31 but officials say it could be extended considering the overwhelming response to the programme.

Only two candidates will be selected and their names are expected to be revealed in January 2021.