At 2.59pm UAE time on Thursday, October 3, 2019, Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati astronaut, touched down on Earth after an eight-day mission in outer space.
Aboard the International Space Station, Maj Al Mansouri was speeding around the earth at 7.66kph, completing approximately 16 orbits a day. During his mission, Maj Al Mansouri conducted a series of experiments that tested the perception of time in microgravity and the effects of space on the body’s cardiovascular system.
But now he is back and his mission captured the imagination of a country whose plans for space exploration are only just beginning. Our host Suhail Rather looks back on the mission and what is in store for the UAE's ambitions beyond the Karman Line.
He spoke to James Langton, contributor for The National, who covered Maj Al Mansouri's departure from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. Mr Al Marri spoke about the centre's objectives and upcoming plans for Mars.
He also spoke to Mikolaj Zielinski, a UAE resident from Poland and Mars One candidate. Mars One is a Netherlands-based project that is raising money to be one of the first to send humans to Mars on a one way trip to colonise the red planet.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
