The Saudi Space Authority, Axiom Space, the US Space Agency (NASA) and SpaceX held a press conference last night in Houston, Texas, USA, to announce the official date for the AX-2 space mission. It is scheduled to be launched next May to the International Space Station (ISS).
The conference was attended by the advisor at the Saudi Space Authority, Eng. Mashael Al-Shammari, the President and CEO of “Axiom Space” Michael T. Suffredini, and representatives of “NASA” and “SpaceX”.
The conference participants welcomed the crew of the AX-2 space mission, consisting of four astronauts: Rayana Barnawi, the first Saudi woman to fly into space, Saudi astronaut Ali Al-Qarni, Peggy Whitson, and John Shoffner, wishing them success in their mission.
They praised the two Saudi astronauts, who underwent an intensive special training program, to prepare for the flight, which includes conducting 14 pioneering experiments in microgravity, noting that they have great skills, experience and capabilities, high physical fitness, and mental flexibility, which will enable them to adapt to the space environment, stressing that they have proven their competence. Exceptional in different fields, such as engineering, robotics, and life support systems.
The participants in the press conference stated that the training program for the two Saudi astronauts included training them in programs and operational processes at the International Space Station, and conducting several exercises in the Japanese and European research centers in January and February, in addition to training in exploratory skills at the headquarters of the company «SpaceX». in Hawthorne, California.
They stressed that the launch of the mission ushers in a new era for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in space exploration, noting that this mission represents a milestone for two historical events, as it is the first mission for a Saudi woman in space, which confirms the progress made by women in the Kingdom in various sectors, as it is the first time For a Saudi Arab team working on the International Space Station.
For her part, the advisor at the Saudi Space Authority, Eng. Mashael Al-Shamimary, praised the great and generous support of the Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Space, Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for the Saudi Space Authority, and for this historical scientific mission that will be carried out by the first Saudi female astronaut, Rayana. Bernawi, and astronaut Ali Al-Qarni to the International Space Station, for the sake of humanity and science, through the research and innovations that they will implement.
Al-Shamimary affirmed the confidence of the Saudi Space Commission in the full readiness of the two Saudi astronauts, Rayana Bernawi and Ali Al-Qarni, to carry out their mission in space, expressing the authority’s confidence in their successful implementation of the mission and return to the homeland to achieve all the goals that were previously planned, and to raise the Kingdom’s position globally. In the field of space exploration, serving humanity, achieving the Kingdom's aspirations, and the goals of Vision 2030 in the field of space.
Al-Shimmari said: “The astronauts will conduct 11 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity, and three educational awareness experiments involving 12,000 students in 42 locations in the Kingdom via satellite, at a crucial moment that will contribute to building a new generation of Saudi leaders, explorers and scientists. It raises the status of the Kingdom as a center for research, in addition to inspiring generations in the Arab world, to new horizons that help humanity benefit from experiments in space.
She praised the cooperation with Axiom Space, the US Space Agency (NASA), and SpaceX, expressing the authority's appreciation for the great progress that has been made through this cooperation in achieving long-term development in space exploration and work on scientific research in microgravity. To serve science and humanity.
She added that the Saudi Space Authority seeks, through the astronaut program and the launch of the two Saudi astronauts on the AX-2 mission, to qualify experienced Saudi cadres for space flights to participate in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions, which will reflect positively on the future of the industry and the country. Increasing the interest of graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and developing human capital, by attracting talents and developing the necessary skills, which enhances the Kingdom’s role in research in the service of humanity.
Al-Shamimary expressed the authority's appreciation for the role of the Saudi authorities participating in the implementation of the astronaut program, led by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Sports, the Civil Aviation Authority, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
Amal Al-Saeed (Riyadh)
