Sun 03 September 2023:
After 184 days on the International Space Station, UAE astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi will begin his journey down to Earth when the SpaceX Dragon capsule undocks at 3:05 p.m. UAE time on Sunday following a successful hatch closure.
In the live broadcast from NASA, al-Neyadi could be seen aboard the capsule with his three colleagues, donned in their suits as they gear up for their journey back to Earth.
The crew will conduct an approximately 17-hour journey to Earth, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida at 8:17 a.m. UAE time on Monday.
Sultan Al Neyadi aboard the Dragon capsule.
Sultan Al Neyadi has told of some of his most unforgettable moments aboard the International Space Station, including performing a spacewalk and photographing Earth.
He said in a video posted on his X account that this could be his last message before leaving the station later today.
HOW WILL UAE ASTRONAUT SULTAN AL NEYADI, WHO SEES 16 SUNSETS DAILY IN SPACE, OBSERVE FAST
“I remember the first moments when I left the ISS for the spacewalk by an Arab astronaut and the long hours we spent outside the station,” he said.
“I also remember the beautiful moments where we took you on a journey over the Arab and Muslim world and the world in general.”
He said he was thrilled to welcome Saudi astronauts Ali Al Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi aboard the station this year.
FIRST SAUDI ASTRONAUTS TO BLAST OFF IN PRIVATE MISSION TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Al Ain is planning a hero’s welcome for astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi when he returns to the UAE.
Like many from Al Ain, his family have been closely watching his progress since he travelled into orbit and the International Space Station on March 3.
His niece and nephew, Naila Saif Al Neyadi, 14, and Mohammed Saif Al Neyadi, 13, both spoke of their pride as their uncle prepares to arrive back on Earth on Monday morning.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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