Two MBRSC crew members receive NASA awards
Awards were for NASA-led Expedition 69 Crew-6 mission
NASA has awarded two members of the Dubai-based Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) for their role during the NASA-led Expedition 69 Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The awards were presented at the Expedition 69 Crew Debrief and Welcome Home ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, United States.
Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, the MBRSC astronaut who was the first Arab astronaut to undergo a six-month mission on the ISS, was honoured with the Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Space Exploration Medal. These awards acknowledged Al Neyadi’s exceptional service and significant contributions to space exploration.
Additionally, Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi, MBRSC’s flight surgeon, received the Johnson Space Center Superior Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to the health and safety of the Expedition 69 Crew-6.
Adnan Al Rais, Assistant Director General of the Space Operations and Exploration Sector, and Mohammad Al Bulooshi, Manager of the Space Operations Section at MBRSC, accepted the Group Achievement Award on behalf of MBRSC. This award acknowledged the pivotal role played by MBRSC in the success of Expedition 69 and its substantial contribution to advancing human space exploration. In a symbolic gesture marking the end of an astronaut’s journey, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir rang the bell at the Johnson Space Center, officially concluding the Expedition 69 mission.
The event at the Johnson Space Center also featured engaging storytelling sessions by the crew, sharing insights and experiences from their mission and captivating attendees with tales of courage, discovery, and collaboration.
The UAE Astronaut Programme, managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme and funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), plays a crucial role in supporting research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promoting the country’s integration on the global stage.
Featured image: The NASA-led Expedition 69 Crew-6 on stage at the Expedition 69 Crew Debrief and Welcome Home ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, United States. Image: MBRSC
