Video: Astronauts address media ahead of Wednesday's mission to ISS

All eyes will be on Hazzaa AlMansoori as he takes off with two other astronauts to the ISS tomorrow.

The Soyuz rocket that's taking the UAE's first astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori to space has already been put into position for the historic launch on September 25.
Hundreds of people turned up to see the Soyuz FG rocket roll out of a Baikonur Cosmodrome facility and witness the verticalisation process, where it was placed into lift-off position. The backup crew, including Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, were present to see the verticalisation as it's a Russian tradition for the reserve crew to experience the event. It's considered 'bad luck' for the primary crew to see the rocket positioning prior to launch day.
AlMansoori and Al Neyadi's families were present during the roll-out and verticalisation. They were all smiles as they watched the rocket that's going to take their loved one on a historic mission.
UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori had earlier tested his Soyuz seat and sokol suits ahead of his historic launch to the International Space Station. The next time he'll wear his astronaut suit will be on the lift-off day, September 25.

Live: @astro_hazzaa takes a selfie with his crew members.

Watch the full press conference here: https://t.co/txepc2ZvLo @roscosmos @MBRSpaceCentre #UAESpaceMission pic.twitter.com/673zB5Dciy
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

Live: The whole Arab region and my entire country is with me here," @astro_hazzaa says when asked who's with him right now.

Watch the full press conference here: https://t.co/txepc2ZvLo @roscosmos @MBRSpaceCentre #UAESpaceMission pic.twitter.com/HdBK6CkAdt
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

Live: Have the passion and dream. Equip yourself with degree, knowledge and work hard while believing in yourself, @Astro_Alneyadi's message for the youth.

Watch the full press conference here: https://t.co/txepc2ZvLo @roscosmos @MBRSpaceCentre pic.twitter.com/0chsv5s37t
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

"We complement each other," says @Astro_Jessica. "This is what I told our families last night. The only thing we need to work on is Arabic but our 'Run-glish' is quite good," she joked. - https://t.co/txepc2ZvLo @roscosmos @MBRSpaceCentre #UAESpaceMission pic.twitter.com/3kVSWn8k7t
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

Live: Sultan Al Neyadi @Astro_Alneyadi jokes why he is the "worst backup ever".

Watch the full press conference on https://t.co/bwDTKgfIS1#UAESpaceMission #UAE #InternationalSpaceStation pic.twitter.com/0qHWZgq7Zj pic.twitter.com/j1UhBysmmM
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

Live: Astronauts address media before Wednesday's space mission @roscosmos @MBRSpaceCentre https://t.co/Qf98PCHjVl#????_???????? pic.twitter.com/ZA5kq9SxRI
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

Hazzaa AlMansoori @astro_hazzaa says he hopes to inspire his four children with his mission. (KT video: Sarwat Nasir)#UAESpaceMission #UAE #InternationalSpaceStation pic.twitter.com/eSc08OBjQa
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019

#HappeningNow at the pre-launch press conference in Baikonur. #UAE #astronaut @astro_hazzaa's mission has officially been approved for takeoff at 5.57pm (UAE time) tomorrow by Russian officials from Roscosmos. (KT video: Sarwat Nasir)

Stay tuned to our page for more updates. pic.twitter.com/BY8bpppycJ
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) September 24, 2019