Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, hailed Sultan Al Neyadi's historic achievements in space during a meeting with the UAE astronaut on Monday.
Sheikh Hamdan heaped praise on Dr Al Neyadi during a visit to Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where he also underlined the crucial work carried out by the Earth-based team leading the momentous Zayed Ambition 2 mission to the International Space Station.
The trailblazing space traveller received a hero's welcome after returning to the UAE last week, following six months in space.
He was greeted by President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at a reception at Abu Dhabi's new airport terminal, before enjoying a hometown welcome from proud residents in Al Ain.
Dr Al Neyadi completed the Arab world's longest space mission and became the first astronaut from the region to conduct a spacewalk.
“The Zayed 2 Mission is the latest in our journey of continuous accomplishments since the launch of our space programme," Sheikh Hamdan said.
"The UAE leadership’s vision continues to inspire us to pursue new frontiers in space exploration.
As part of our steadfast commitment to serving humanity, the UAE is set to launch new ambitious space projects.”
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the passion and dedication of the MBRSC team, which supported Dr Al Neyadi during his voyage.
“The determination of our youth opens the door to new horizons in the fields of science, technology and innovation, which are of great importance to the future of space exploration,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
"The outstanding achievements of MBRSC’s missions demonstrate that we have a team capable of successfully managing complex space projects.
"We have been able to develop a deep pool of national talent as a result of the leadership’s belief in the capabilities of our youth."
Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Dr Al Neyadi on the series of scientific experiments he conducted on the ISS during the meeting, at which fellow UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri was also present.
“We take great pride in seeing a UAE astronaut achieving such a significant milestone in the space sector, further elevating the UAE’s standing in space exploration," Sheikh Hamdan said.
"This mission is a testament to the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of human knowledge.”
Sultan Al Neyadi's homecoming - in pictures
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President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with employees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre during a homecoming reception for UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, left, at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport terminal. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, greets members of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed and Maj Gen Essa Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, attend a homecoming reception Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets Reem Al Neyadi, daughter of Dr Al Neyadi, during the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikha Hassa bint Mohamed, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Dr Al Neyadi at the reception, which comes after the astronaut spent six months at the International Space Station. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, receive Dr Al Neyadi during a homecoming reception at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Dr Al Neyadi greets his father Saif Al Neyadi and his children during the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Hazza Al Mansouri, right, attends the homecoming for Dr Al Neyadi, who spent six months at the International Space Station. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets a member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed greets Maj Gen Talal Al Falasi, vice president of the Mohamed bin Rashid Space Centre. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stand for a photograph with Dr Al Neyadi and family members. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikha Salama bint Mohamed attend the reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, sit with Hazza Al Mansouri at the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attends the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, attends the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attend the homecoming reception. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed shakes hands with Dr Al Neyadi after he arrived in the UAE. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stand for a group photo with Dr Al Neyadi. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati in space, and astronauts Mohamed Al Mulla and Noura Al Matrooshi were also present. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Dr Al Neyadi greets his children at Abu Dhabi International Airport's new Terminal A. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Dr Al Neyadi return home after six months in space. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
The Emirati astronaut returned to the UAE on Monday. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media -
Dr Al Neyadi with his children and father, Saif Al Neyadi, right. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed receives the UAE flag that travelled to the International Space Station with Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
'Our national flag has made its way to space for the second time,' Dr Al Neyadi told Sheikh Mohamed. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed unfurled the flag for television cameras. UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Tahnoun with Maj Al Mansouri, Dr Al Neyadi, Mr Al Mulla and Ms Al Matrooshi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with Dr Al Neyadi, Maj Al Mansouri, Mr Al Mulla and Ms Al Matrooshi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with Dr Al Neyadi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
From left, Saud Karmustaji, director of strategic communication at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, Dr Al Neyadi, Salem Al Marri, MBRSC director general and Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati in space, speak at Abu Dhabi International Airport's Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi is greeted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: @MBRSpaceCentre / X -
Dr Al Neyadi arrives home. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media -
A live-stream took place of Dr Al Neyadi's meeting with UAE Rulers on Monday evening. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi spent six months on the International Space Station. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Preparations were under way from early on Monday for Dr Al Neyadi's arrival at the new Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi's plane lands in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media -
Awaiting Dr Al Neyadi's arrival at Terminal A. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi, who was born in Al Ain, made history by becoming the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Giant screens were spread across the terminal displaying portraits of the astronaut with messages welcoming him home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
