The UAE warmly welcomed home astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi on Monday, marking the end of his historic 186-day mission in space, the longest by an Arab astronaut.
AlNeyadi, 42, who also became the first Arab spacewalker, was greeted at the new terminal of Abu Dhabi International Airport with a hero’s reception attended by the nation’s top leadership and a jubilant crowd showcasing Emirati culture through traditional dance and music.
رئيس الدولة ومحمد بن راشد يستقبلان رائد الفضاء سلطان النيادي لدى عودته لأرض الوطن بعد إتمامه لأطول مهمة فضائية في تاريخ العرب استمرت لـ 6 أشهر على متن محطة الفضاء الدولية. pic.twitter.com/uZ11MgQwQa
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 18, 2023
As his flight touched down, the skies above Abu Dhabi were adorned with the colours of the UAE, displayed by soaring fighter jets. The astronaut was received by his elated children and father, embracing in heartfelt hugs that epitomized the nation’s collective pride and joy.
The high-profile welcoming committee included UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice-President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Both leaders celebrated AlNeyadi’s homecoming, praising his achievements and emphasizing their commitment to advancing the UAE’s space exploration endeavors.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 18, 2023
During the reception, AlNeyadi presented Sheikh Mohamed with the UAE flag that accompanied him aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the duration of his mission. The moment, laden with symbolism, underscored the national pride and the strides UAE has taken in space exploration.
Taking to social media platform X, Sheikh Mohamed voiced the nation’s united pride in AlNeyadi’s remarkable achievement which stands as a testament to the UAE’s ambitious space goals. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid acknowledged the mission as a fruitful outcome of the UAE’s investment in nurturing talent and reiterated plans to further humanity’s reach into space with more projects and astronaut missions.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking journey, a well-rested AlNeyadi shared his awe-struck experience of witnessing the Milky Way from space, a dream that rooted in his childhood days in Al Ain. Post-rehabilitation in the US, the astronaut expressed readiness for future missions, harboring personal aspirations to venture to the Moon and Mars.
The festive homecoming also became a platform to commend the collective efforts of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and teams behind successful space initiatives including the Emirates Lunar Mission and the Hope probe to Mars. Looking forward, the leaders encouraged the enthusiastic teams spearheading forthcoming adventurous undertakings such as the Mission to the Asteroid Belt and the Mars 2117 programme.