Sultan Al Neyadi is nearing the five-month mark during his stay on the International Space Station.
Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is in the final stages of his historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He began his groundbreaking journey on March 3 and is scheduled to return to Earth by the end of the following month, pending a confirmed date.
Al Neyadi has etched his name in the annals of history by embarking on the longest space mission ever undertaken by an astronaut from the Arab world during his time on the ISS. Additionally, in a remarkable feat for the UAE’s space sector, he conducted a spacewalk in April, making him the first astronaut from the region to achieve this milestone. Donning a bulky space suit, he gracefully performed intricate tasks in the microgravity environment more than 400km above our planet.
As part of the mission’s scientific objectives, Dr. Al Neyadi, alongside his fellow crew members, is actively participating in over 200 experiments, which have been assigned by NASA and 19 other research projects by UAE universities. One crucial area of study revolves around life sciences. To this end, he wore specialized equipment, including a biomonitor vest and headband, allowing ground-based scientists to observe and analyze his cardiovascular system’s behavior in microgravity conditions. The findings from this research have the potential to advance our understanding of the effects of microgravity on the human heart and may contribute to the development of innovative therapies for heart disease.
Throughout his space journey, Al Neyadi has remained committed to inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. He has engaged in live conversations with pupils, shared captivating insights into his mission, and even celebrated his birthday on the ISS.
In a heartwarming moment of camaraderie in space, Al Neyadi was present to welcome Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni to the ISS in May. Ms. Barnawi became the first Arab woman to reach the ISS, and also the first Saudi woman in space. Together, they dedicated eight days to conducting various experiments related to life sciences and weather technology.
Despite being far away from home, Al Neyadi has kept a strong connection with Earth. He has skillfully captured captivating images of the UAE and other regions from the vantage point of space. Accompanied by his crew members, including American astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Russian astronaut Andrey Fedyaev, Al Neyadi forms part of the dynamic Crew-6 team.
Born in Al Ain, Dr. Al Neyadi previously served as a network security engineer in the Armed Forces. He holds a doctorate in information technology from Griffith University, Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from the University of Brighton, England.
As only the second Emirati astronaut to venture into space after Hazza Al Mansouri, who spent eight days on the ISS in 2019, Sultan Al Neyadi’s extraordinary achievements and dedication will undoubtedly leave an enduring impact on the UAE’s space endeavors. His voyage serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human exploration and scientific discovery.