Emiratis, expats express pride over UAE's space achievement

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Dubai - Along with the Emiratis, expats too have joined in wishing Al Mansoori on his debut space mission.

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Sandhya D'Mello

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Published: Sat 28 Sep 2019, 10:52 PM

UAE residents - both Emiratis and expats - have expressed pride in Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori's mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Hazzaa carried out the historic mission onboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft and headed to space with Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir.
Many Emiratis have expressed their joy at the mission.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said: "We are proud of Al Mansoori, the first Emirati to be in space and the first Arab astronaut to go to the International Space Station (ISS). This achievement will inspire more Emirati youth to participate in space exploration missions and contribute to the UAE's competitiveness in the space industry. I congratulate the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) on this new milestone and commend their efforts in building a sustainable space science and advanced technology sector that contributes to establishing a knowledge-based economy in the UAE."
Ammar Al Malik, managing director of the Dubai Internet City, said: "As a nation, we have always strived to push boundaries and reach new heights, and this week we've turned one of our bold ambitions into reality. This is a truly historic achievement that signals the beginning of a new era of innovation, science and technology for the UAE and the region. Congratulations to Al Mansoori on this incredible feat, and to our visionary leadership and people of the UAE."
Along with the Emiratis, expats too have joined in wishing Al Mansoori on his debut space mission. "Space travel is at the frontier of innovation and technological development. Having an Emirati representing in this space is inspiring for all generations not only for the UAE residents but for the wider Middle East and North Africa," said Dubai resident Philip Bahoshy. "The skills, dedication and experience required to achieve such goals can be a learning lesson for the youth of today to overcome challenges and hurdles to achieve ambitious goals, not only in the world of space travel but innovation and entrepreneurship."
Endorsing Bahoshy, another Dubai resident, Vijay Tirathrai, said: "There are similarities between Mars and the desert; it is only natural for the UAE to become a pioneer for space agriculture and the promotion of research into how food might be grown on Mars. Al Mansoori's mission is a great milestone for the UAE and an inspiration for 100 million young people in the Arab region. It's a proud moment not just for all Emiratis but also for all residents."
Courtney Powell, Dubai resident, said: "We're looking forward to seeing the outcome of the tremendous efforts by the UAE entrepreneurs in space innovation, including the Geotech Innovation Programme."
sandhya@khaleejtimes.com


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