RELEASE: Saudi Space Commission (SSC): The two Saudi astronauts arrive at the International Space Station

-Saudi Space Commission (SSC): The two Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni arrive at the International Space Station. The crew welcomes you and greets you

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The two Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni and the crew of the mission team arrived at the International Space Station today at 13:24 GMT / 14: 24 BST after their Dragon 2 spacecraft successfully docked.

NASA today announced the successful docking of Dragon 2 16 hours after the rocket launched yesterday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The docking of the "Dragon 2" spacecraft with the ISS is a historic moment for Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi, who becomes the first Arab woman to fly into space bound for the ISS. A historic moment also for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is, as of now, the first Arab country to send a woman on a space science mission as well as being one of the few countries to have two astronauts on board the ISS simultaneously.

The mission crew, consisting of four astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi, Ali AlQarni, Peggy Whiston and John Shoffner, were greeted and greeted by the International Space Station team, who wished them success in their endeavor.

Upon arrival, the AX-2 mission crew changed into their spacesuits and joined the ISS crew preparing to carry out their mission in space, where they will conduct 14 pioneering microgravity research experiments that they are set to have. important scientific implications. The studies that the two Saudi astronauts will carry out in space range from human research and cellular science to artificial rain in microgravity, in order to develop space science and advance the sending of more manned spacecraft to the Moon and beyond. Mars. In addition, the Saudi astronauts will also carry out three educational awareness experiments. This space program has established the Kingdom as a major player in the global space science research community, and as a major investor in the service of humanity and its future.

The Saudi Space Commission confirmed that the astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni, are fully trained and ready to carry out their mission in space. The SSC is also confident that they will successfully complete their intended mission and return safely to Earth.

The efforts of the SSC are intended to prepare future astronauts and engineers through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions, all of which will contribute to raising the status of of the Kingdom and to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.

Notes to editors

About the Saudi Space Commission (SSC):

The Saudi Space Commission was established by royal order in December 2018 (Rabi II 1440). This bold step serves a future that is innovative and looks to the latest technologies and opportunities in the Saudi space industry.

With the Kingdom moving towards a progressive quality of life, the SSC demonstrates the aligned vision of creating better and safer environments for its citizens, while actively enabling prospects for lucrative economic and monetary inventions.

The SSC has developed strategies to create primary objectives that serve national security interests in the face of space-related risks and foster cumulative growth and advancement.

https://saudispace.gov.sa/en/about-us/

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