Watch: UAE Astronaut Sultan al Neyadi is Back in the UAE!

After a historic Arab space mission and a successful splash down on Earth two weeks ago, Emirati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi returned to the UAE on Monday.

At 5:30 p.m., the UAE aircraft carrying Al-Neyadi and staff from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) touched down on the airport's tarmac in Abu Dhabi.

Several aircraft carriers with the colors of the UAE flag were launched across the airport skies to celebrate the astronaut's return right after he arrived.

 

 

 

 

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His family, who had been excitedly waiting outside the gate, gave him a heartfelt warm welcome. “I feel happy and privileged,” said AlNeyadi. “It took 17 hours to reach Earth from space; and 16 hours from Houston to Abu Dhabi.” 

He also said, “As our spacecraft landed, they had to pull me up from my seat. Thanks to Hanan AlSuwaidi (flight surgeon), who helped me stand up.”

The astronaut expressed that one of the first things he spoke to a senior official after returning to Earth was, "We need to go to the Moon."

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), "With my brother Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the State, I received Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi to the homeland after his 6-month stay on the International Space Station, becoming the first Arab astronaut on a long mission in space."

"The arrival of Sultan AlNeyadi represents a major milestone in the UAE’s scientific development process and signifies a bright future in the UAE’s ongoing journey of investing in its people, a mission initiated by our founders and one that we continue today," he further added.

Sultan AlNeyadi was also honored with the title of the 'Sultan of Space.'