Successful UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has told The National he is hopeful the country will join Nasa’s efforts in sending humans to the Moon.
Dr Al Neyadi, who is set to embark on the Arab world’s first long-duration space mission on February 26, said the country’s space programme would follow “wherever humanity is going”.
Nasa has introduced Artemis, an ambitious project that aims to build a sustainable presence of astronauts in lunar orbit and on the Moon's surface.
It is crucial for the space agency to find capable international partners to help meet the budgetary and timetable demands involved in building the Lunar Gateway — an orbiting station to house astronauts.
“The UAE, I think, is going wherever the humanity overall is going,” Dr Al Neyadi, who will participate in a six-month mission to the International Space Station next month, told The National in an interview on Thursday.
“We all have the support from our leadership and hopefully they will commit to this programme — the Artemis.
“We're looking towards, hopefully in the future, seeing an astronaut probably orbiting or even landing on the lunar surface.”
The National last month revealed the UAE could be contributing an airlock module — an airtight room through which astronauts would enter and exit the space station — to the Lunar Gateway.
Nasa’s Artemis 1 test flight — the first of many missions planned under the programme — was launched to the Moon and landed back on Earth successfully.
It was a crucial step forward for the space agency, which hopes to land astronauts on the Moon before the end of the decade.
“We also saw the successful Artemis 1 launch, it was a great proof of concept,” said Dr Al Neyadi.
“Soon we'll have some people on board the Orion capsule and, definitely, the UAE will try to be a part of that.
“We all know that the UAE has signed the Artemis Accords and it's a matter of an opportunity.”
The Accords is a Nasa-led international agreement that outlines peaceful exploration of the Moon and signatories include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel.
The UAE’s newest astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla, who could be in line for a Moon mission, are training alongside the Artemis team at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, after an agreement between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Nasa to offer them basic instruction.
UAE and Nasa officials have also held talks on the Artemis programme, although a deal has yet to be signed.
Of his ISS mission starting next month, Dr Al Neyadi said: "I think this is a natural progression towards human space flight and that's why we are committed to this six-month mission.
"After a very successful mission in 2019, when my colleague Hazza [Al Mansouri] went to space, that was a big boost for the space programme overall.
"I remember going to schools and universities and even talking to everyday people and they all ask about space.
"They have questions about the missions and what it's like to be living in space and on board the station."
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan
Rating: 4/5
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')
Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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The%20specs
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Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
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What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
more from Janine di Giovanni
Company%20profile
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Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
MATCH INFO
Fulham 0
Aston Villa 3 (Grealish 4', Hourihane 15', Mings 48')
Man of the match: Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
The%20Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%20twin%20turbocharged%20V6%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20472hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20603Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh290%2C000%20(%2478%2C9500)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
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