Today (Monday), Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Space, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, received Saudi astronauts Rayana Bernawi, Ali Al-Qarni, Maryam Firdous and Ali Al-Ghamdi, before the launch of the Kingdom's scientific mission to the International Space Station, with the first Saudi Arab Muslim astronaut Rayana on board. Bernawi, and Ali Al-Qarni, who is also the first Saudi astronaut to reach the International Space Station on the flight, which is scheduled to start next May.
The Crown Prince congratulated the astronauts on their successful completion of the qualification program, noting the role of the space sector as one of the sectors that contribute to enhancing the Kingdom's international competitiveness, and the importance of space exploration to serve science and humanity.
The Crown Prince stressed, during his speech to the astronauts, that they represent the capabilities and aspirations of the Saudi people in contributing to innovations and space research to find sustainable solutions for the good of humanity. He also referred to the high hopes placed on the astronaut Rayana Bernawi and the astronaut Ali Al-Qarni. Being ambassadors and representatives of the homeland in the International Space Station with a mission that carries lofty goals to empower people, protect the planet and open new horizons through a group of research that the astronauts will conduct in the fields of health and environmental sustainability, wishing them success in their mission and a safe return to the homeland.
While the astronauts expressed their pride and pride in meeting the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, they thanked him for the continuous support from the Crown Prince. While the astronauts Mariam Firdous and Ali Al-Ghamdi, who will be assigned missions at the earth station to help the astronauts Rayana Bernawi and Ali Al-Qarni during this scientific mission, confirmed their pride and pride.
This historic space flight confirms the Kingdom's commitment to supporting space exploration efforts, encouraging practical research in this field, and strengthening the role of citizens in space programs and its fields of science and technology, to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to highlight the Kingdom's role in the space sector and its technologies.
Okaz (Jeddah)