UAE astronaut Hazzaa tweets ahead of historic space mission

Dubai - AlMansoori will head to space with Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir.

Hazzaa AlMansoori, the UAE's first astronaut set to launch into space with two other astronauts later on Wednesday evening, shared his emotions in a tweet.

"A few hours before launch and I'm filled with this indescribable feeling of glory and awe," AlMansoori tweeted.

"Today I carry the dreams and ambition of my country to a whole new dimension. May Allah grant me success in this mission. Your brother, Hazzaa AlMansoori," he said.

The world's attention is set towards the UAE's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) today, as AlMansoori carries out a historic mission on board the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft.

AlMansoori will head to space with Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir. Their launch will take place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Reserve Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi will also be at Baikonur with Russian commander Sergey Ryzhikov and Thomas Marshburn from Nasa.

At exactly 5.57pm local time today, the FG rocket will take off from Baikonur, powering the Soyuz spacecraft that carries a 3-member crew, including AlMansoori.

A few hours before launch and I'm filled with this indescribable feeling of glory and awe. Today I carry the dreams and ambition of my country to a whole new dimension. May Allah grant me success in this mission. Your brother, Hazzaa AlMansoori.
- Hazzaa AlMansoori (@astro_hazzaa) September 25, 2019

• Dubai