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While the UAE is thrilled about the first Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori rocketing off to space within a few days, the Russians at the launch city are equally excited.
Baikonur Museum has displayed the photos of the Emirati astronauts and their crewmates along with the UAE flag and the logo of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
Khaleej Times took a tour of the museum to see how the UAE mission is being honoured and took a peek at other interesting displays.
UAE astronauts honoured
Photos of Hazza Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi are being featured on a special display at Baikonur's museum. Al Mansoori's journey, especially during his training period along with his Soyuz MS-15 mission crew, is being highlighted. The showcase has been installed right at the entrance of the venue.
UAE flag and Dubai space centre's logo on show
Russia has partnered with a few selected countries over the years to send astronauts to the International Space Station. Now, they are highlighting the growing relations between Russia and the UAE, specifically in space-related activities. A UAE flag and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre logo is on a special display at the museum.
The tiny and tight space of a Soyuz seat
If there's one scary aspect of travelling on a Soyuz, other than sitting above tonnes of explosives, it's the restricted space inside the Soyuz spacecraft. Russians are the only ones who can send humans to space, but only three at a time. Astronauts sit inside the tight space, with minimal movement, for up to six hours until they reach the International Space Station. If the Soyuz doesn't dock properly, they're stuck inside for two days, circling the earth until another landing opportunity presents itself.
This launcher takes the Soyuz to space
A model of the launcher can be seen at the museum. It's the one that is used to send the Soyuz spacecraft to space.
The first living species in space was a dog
Yuri Gagarin is honoured across Russia and in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, for being the first man in space. But, before him it was Laika - a mongrel - who was sent to space by the Soviets on a test flight in 1957. Several displays of the dog inside a spacecraft are on show at museums across Russia and in the launch city of Baikonur. The dog died in space during the mission.
Highlight on US Space Shuttle tragedy
The US Space Shuttle ended in 2011 and it faced a few tragedies during its run, including when seven crew members died onboard during a launch. The programme's journey is being displayed by the Russians at the museum in Baikonur.
A friendship formed for the outer world
A photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Kazakhstan President Nursultan Äbishuly Nazarbayev is also at the entrance of the museum. Kazakhstan has leased Baikonur to Russia until 2050, for about $100million a year, so Russians can keep using the launch sites in the city. Now, it's run by the Russian government and tourists can only enter with guided tours.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
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