The Arab world is making a name for itself in the global space race, putting a term coined for explorers from the region back in the spotlight.
The stellar feats of history-makers such as the UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi and Saudi Arabia's Rayyanah Barnawi, the region's first woman in space, could provide fresh momentum to a push to identify them as "najmonauts".
While astronaut remains the most established moniker for space travellers, Russia has its cosmonauts and China its taikonauts.
Dr Al Neyadi recently landed back on Earth after a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station, during which he became the first Arab to carry out a spacewalk.
He followed in the footsteps of Hazza Al Mansouri, who in 2019 became the first Emirati in space and the first Arab in nearly 33 years to blast off into the skies.
Saudi Arabia also sent two of its citizens into space this year, with Ali Al Qarni accompanying Ms Barnawi on an eight-day mission on the ISS.
With both countries planning to send more of its citizens to space in the coming years, should there be a dedicated word to identify these Arab adventurers?
Najmonauts
The Arab word "najm" translates to star and the Greek word "naut" means sailor.
The word "najmonaut" was created by Lisa La Bonte, a space expert, and Emirati scientist Dr Mejd Alsari.
They launched a dedicated website for the name in 2020 to help promote Arab missions and give a specific identification to space explorers from the region.
"A new name for those flying in space representing Arab states, such as "najmonaut", is an individualisation and a remark that they proudly represent states with an ancient history and culture, but also with new, special technological possibilities," the website says, quoting Dumitru Dorin Prunariu, Romania’s first cosmonaut.
"No matter what nation they belong to and how are they named, when they reach outer space they become messengers of the entire planet Earth."
The word has not been adopted legally by any space organisation and is not currently used by the space centres or agencies in the UAE or Saudi Arabia.
However, The Guardian, a newspaper in the UK, used the term in an interview with Dr Al Neyadi published this month, demonstrating it is gaining a foothold in the media landscape.
Astronauts
Those who fly to space are commonly called astronauts, with "astro" meaning star. It is unclear when the term originated.
However, some believe it was inspired by the existing term "aeronaut" that had been in use since the 18th century in relation to balloonists.
Emirati and Saudi space explorers are referred to as astronauts by their space agencies.
The US, Canada, Europe and Japan also refer to their space travellers as astronauts.
Cosmonauts
Russia refers to its astronauts as cosmonauts, as do some countries that were part of the former Soviet Union such as Kazakhstan.
Maj Al Mansouri flew on a Russian Soyuz rocket to the ISS where he then lived mostly in the Russian segment of the station.
Russian space agency Roscosmos referred to him as cosmonaut during his mission.
Taikonauts
Chinese astronauts are called taikonauts. The prefix "taikong" means space.
The term was reportedly coined in 1998, when China first started to train astronauts, and was widely used by 2003 when the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, flew into space.
Today, Chinese media refer to their explorers as taikonauts.
Vyomanauts
There were reports that Indian astronauts would be referred to as vyomanauts but it is not clear whether the word is being widely used by the public.
India hopes to send its first astronauts to space in the coming years.
It is developing a rocket and spacecraft that would carry them into orbit.
India is quickly emerging as a strong player in space, having reached Mars orbit and placed a landing module and rover on the Moon's surface.
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RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
How they line up for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6 Romain Grosjean, Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
*8 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
9 Carlos Sainz, Renault
10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
13 Sergio Perez, Force India
14 Lance Stroll, Williams
15 Esteban Ocon, Force India
16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber
19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice
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
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Specs
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
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EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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