First Arab to perform a spacewalk, astronaut Al Neyadi back in the UAE

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi arrived back in the UAE yesterday and was received with a hero’s welcome, greeted by both President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Al Neyadi landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport following a flight from the US, where he has been since returning from his historic six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In honour of his return, the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatic team performed a flypast over the airport after his flight landed. His children greeted him at the door to the plane.

Bin Zayed hailed Sultan as an inspiration to young people across the UAE and the world and remarked that his pioneering achievement reflected the boundless ambitions of the nation.

The Emirati astronaut presented MBZ with a UAE flag that had accompanied him throughout his 186-day mission to the ISS.

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi presents UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the flag he took with him on his 6-month expedition to the International Space Station [WAM]

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi meets UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum when he arrived back to the UAE on 18 September 2023 after spending 6 months on the International Space Station [WAM]

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi was greeted by his children when he arrived back in the UAE on 18 September 2023 after spending 6 months on the International Space Station [WAM]

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid noted that the UAE Astronaut Programme reinforces the country’s vision based on investing in its people, empowering them, supporting their potential, and enhancing their expertise and capabilities.

Al Neyadi is the first Arab to serve on the International Space Station for a 6-month mission, as part of Expedition 69 and the first Arab Astronaut to perform a spacewalk.

READ: UAE astronaut returns to Earth after ‘longest Arab space mission’