Saudi Arabia is set to make history by sending its first female astronaut to space in the second quarter of 2023. The announcement was made by the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and follows the successful launch of the country’s first astronaut, Prince Sultan bin Salman, in 1985.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the female astronaut will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission, which is scheduled to launch from the United States. The mission is being led by Houston-based space exploration company, Axiom Space, which is working in partnership with NASA to build the world’s first commercial space station.

In addition to Barnawi and AlQarni, two more astronauts, Mariam Fardous and Ali AlGamdi, are also being trained for future space missions as part of the Saudi Human Spaceflight Programme, reports Saudi Press Agency. The programme is supported by the Saudi Space Commission, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Sport, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, and international partners such as Axiom Space.

In a statement, the SSC said, “The selection of the first Saudi female astronaut is in line with our commitment to empower women in all fields, including the field of space exploration. We are confident that she will be a role model for young women in the country and inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”

The announcement has been welcomed by the international community, with many hailing it as a significant step towards gender equality and the promotion of women’s rights in the region. It is also a sign of the Saudi government’s commitment to diversifying the economy and promoting innovation and technology.

The female astronaut will undergo a rigorous training program before embarking on the space mission, which will involve living and working on the International Space Station for several months. The training will cover a range of technical and operational skills, including spacewalk training, robotics training, and systems training.

Speaking about the selection process, former NASA astronaut and advisor to the SSC, Dr. Garrett Reisman, said, “The selection of the first female astronaut from Saudi Arabia is a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and its recognition of the important contributions that women can make in the field of space exploration.”

The Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission, Eng Abdullah Bin Amer Al-Swaha, emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to give unlimited support to the space program. Through this program, the Kingdom seeks to activate scientific innovations at the level of space sciences, enhance its ability to independently conduct its own research that will reflect positively on the future of the industry and the country, increase the interest of graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and develop human capital by attracting talents and the necessary skills.

The AX-2 space mission is expected to be a significant milestone in the development of the commercial space industry, with Axiom Space planning to launch several more missions in the coming years. The company has also signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to send an Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station in 2022.

The participation of Saudi Arabia in the space mission is an important development for the country, which has been investing heavily in the development of its space industry in recent years. The government has set a goal of becoming a major player in the global space industry by 2030, with plans to launch its own satellites and establish a national space program.

The selection of the first female astronaut is a significant step towards achieving these goals and underscores the Saudi government’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in all areas of society. It is also a sign of the growing importance of the space industry in the Middle East, which is emerging as a major player in the global space race.