UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi is set to make history on Friday as he becomes the first Arab astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. The momentous occasion will take place on the International Space Station (ISS), where AlNeyadi has been stationed since April 2022.
AlNeyadi, who is a member of the UAE Astronaut Programme, will be conducting the spacewalk alongside his fellow astronaut Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency. The pair will be performing maintenance work on the exterior of the ISS, including the installation of new solar panels.
The spacewalk is a challenging and potentially dangerous task, as astronauts must don bulky spacesuits and venture out into the harsh vacuum of space. However, AlNeyadi and Pesquet are well-prepared for the task, having undergone extensive training on Earth to simulate the conditions of a spacewalk.
The UAE has been rapidly expanding its space programme in recent years, with the aim of establishing a presence in space and inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers in the region. AlNeyadi’s spacewalk is a major milestone for the programme, and is sure to be watched with great pride by people across the Arab world.
In addition to his spacewalk, AlNeyadi has been conducting a range of experiments and research on the ISS, including studies on the effects of microgravity on the human body and investigations into the behaviour of materials in space.
AlNeyadi’s achievements are a testament to the UAE’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and exploring the frontiers of space. The country’s space programme is a shining example of what can be achieved when a nation invests in science and technology, and it is sure to continue to make great strides in the years to come.
As AlNeyadi and Pesquet venture out into the void of space, they will be carrying the hopes and dreams of people across the Arab world with them. Their mission is a symbol of what can be achieved through collaboration and determination, and is a reminder that the boundaries of human achievement are limited only by our imagination
