In 2019, the first Arab astronaut reached the International Space Station. More than three and a half years later, the first Arab female astronaut is sent there – from Saudi Arabia!
As the state news agency Saudi Press Agency announced, Rajana Barnawi will embark on a journey from the US in a Space X rocket in the second quarter of this year along with her male colleague Ali Al-Karni. The Saudi space program released a commercial last weekend about this “historic project” that the entire Saudi royal family is behind (see tweet below). Abdullah Bin Amer al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stressed that his government wanted to strengthen its own research capabilities. In addition, “the interest of young graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics” should be increased.
Saudi space program as part of “Vision 2030”
For the head of the Saudi space program, Mohammed Bin Saud al-Tamimi, the mission for Saudi Arabia is “historic, among other things, because it will be one of the few countries that can take two astronauts of the same nationality on board.” the ISS at the same time”. .
Saudi Arabia is catching up with neighboring United Arab Emirates, which became the first Arab country to send a spacecraft to the ISS in 2019. Saudi Arabia has had its own space agency since 2018. The following year, a first human spaceflight program was launched. Projects like these are part of the “Vision 2030”, a long-term strategy of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for the development of the country.
There are currently three Americans, three Russians and one Japanese on board
Russia and the US continue to work closely on the ISS, despite their deteriorating relationship in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There are currently seven crew members on board: three Americans, three Russians and one Japanese.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
