95 qualify for next stage of Astronaut Corps

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced that 95 out of the 4,022 applicants have been shortlisted for the UAE Astronaut Programme, part of the UAE National Space Programme. It aims to train and prepare a team of Emiratis to be sent to space for various scientific missions. The programme was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in April 2017.
The shortlisted applicants are 75 males and 20 females of ages between 23 and 48 years, from across the UAE. The list includes 64 candidates under the age of 35 and 31 candidates over 35 years of age. They hail from diversified educational and vocational backgrounds including civil aviation, air force, medicine, STEM and education.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said: "We are delighted by the volume of entries from a highly qualified caliber of Emiratis. This confirms the ambitions of the UAE nationals who are dedicated to follow the country's approach to explore space and support the vision of our wise leadership to prepare national cadres to enrich scientific progress and serve humanity through making further achievements in space exploration.
"The qualified candidates represent the future of the UAE and reflect its generations' aspirations to shape a future that tells the story of the country's glorious legacy," he added.
Al Mansoori highlighted that the UAE Astronaut Programme is the first astronaut programme in the Arab world aimed towards developing skilled and capable Emirati astronaut corps and sending them out to carry out scientific missions. They will also serve as ambassadors for the UAE in space exploration, and promote scientific culture, passion for exploration, and innovation among new generations.
Yousuf Al Shaibani, director-general of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said: "The UAE Astronaut Programme contributes to achieving the national strategy which aims to train and prepare a future generation of space explorers according to the highest international standards.

• UAE
• Dubai