Groundbreaking Moment: Saudi Arabia’s Pioneer Female Astronaut Arrives At the Space Station
Groundbreaking Moment: Saudi Arabia’s Pioneer Female Astronaut Arrives At the Space Station:
The first female Saudi astronaut arrived at the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX rocket. Rayyanah Barnawi shed happy tears upon entering the International Space Station (ISS). She made history by being the first Arab woman to go on a space mission and the first woman from her country to achieve this feat. Also, she is honored to be the first Arab female to travel to the ISS.
The Soft Landing and Warm Welcome Of Saudi Astronauts
When they arrived at the station, Barnawi said that they were now living a dream that they had not anticipated would come true. She stated that besides providing a chance to explore space, this mission represented Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab region.
While in space, Al-Qarni mentioned that they would conduct scientific experiments to benefit humanity. Their objective includes conducting a total of 20 research projects, including 14 projects developed by Saudi scientists. The projects encompass a range of topics, including human physiology, cell biology, and technology development.
In her experiments, Barnawi will draw on her nine years of expertise working as a research lab technician at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh’s Stem Cell and Tissue Re-engineering Programme.
Former NASA astronaut and current mission leader Whitson said the trip was “a beautiful ride.” She also said that this docking was the gentlest she had ever felt.
During the opening ceremony, she expressed that she was there to symbolize the aspirations of her homeland and the region. She thanked her trainers for the intensive training she received and gushed about how happy she was to be there. She said she was looking forward to it very much. She and her American coworkers Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner and their British counterpart Ali Al Qarni landed at the station as part of the Axiom 2 mission.
At 5:12 pm UAE time, the Dragon capsule successfully docked at the orbiting outpost. Then, at approximately 7:13 pm, the Ax-2 crew members entered the station. Upon arrival, Sultan Al Neyadi from the UAE, who was present as part of a six-month mission, welcomed the group. Additionally, there were already six other astronauts on board, consisting of three Russians and three Americans.
The astronauts will spend more than a week at the International Space Station. After that, they will return home and land with a splashdown in the waters near Florida.
According to Mishaal Ashemimry, who is an aerospace engineer and advisor to the Saudi Space Commission, their objectives focus on using science to benefit the entire human race. She hopes that this mission will inspire girls from different backgrounds to improve the human experience.
Saudi fighter pilot Ali al-Qarni expressed his dedication to all the people back home. He stressed that this mission was not just for himself and Rayyanah but also for people with aspirations and goals.
Takeaways
The arrival of Saudi Astronauts at the International Space Station marks another significant milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. This groundbreaking mission sets the stage for further achievements and collaborations in space exploration.
Last Updated on 9 months by News Editor
