Watch & Read: Arab astronauts launched into space

Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni have been launched into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The Saudi Gazette reported that the astronauts blasted off from the rocket aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral in the US state of Florida on Sunday.

The launch of the private mission voyage to the International Space Station (ISS) was at 12:37 a.m. The Dragon spacecraft will travel for 16 hours to the ISS, with arrival expected at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

The space flight, organized by Axiom Space, was a great success when they took off on board the dreams of their proud families, the entire nation and its excited people. This marks Saudi Arabia’s dispatch of its first nationals to foray into space in almost four decades.

Barnawi and Al Qarni are expected to land at ISS on Monday where they join fellow Arab astronaut, the UAE’s Sultan Al-Neyadi, currently on the ISS for a six month mission. It will mark the first time astronauts from two Arab countries have met onboard ISS. Hours before the launch, Al-Neyadi sent a good-luck message to Barnawi and Al Qarni on Twitter.

Once docked, the Axiom Space astronauts plan to spend eight days aboard the orbiting laboratory, carrying out a full mission comprised of science, outreach and commercial activities. During their mission, Barnawi and Al Qarni will conduct 20 experiments, including research into predicting and preventing cancer and a study into how to generate artificial rain in future human settlements on the Moon and Mars.

Barnawi, the first female Arab astronaut and e breast cancer researcher, and fighter pilot Ali Al Qarni embarked their flight to the ISS on a private mission to carry out a number of experiments. Arriving at the ISS, the duo were joined by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and US pilot John Shoffner, on a mission organised by private space company Axiom Space.

Barnawi and Al Qarni were seen smiling and waving while heading to the Dragon spacecraft, prior to their launch of the space voyage. The astronauts said they are excited and proud to embark on the Saudi mission to outer space. Barnawi and Al Qarni met their families and greeted all those around before boarding the launch vehicle.

NASA began a live broadcast of the launch live on its website and social media channels at 12:30 a.m. and confirmed that all the astronauts had donned their spacesuits ready for launch. Dragon spacecraft hatch closed for flight at about midnight. The weather is set to be acceptable to the launch and was ready for lift-off at the scheduled time. At 10 minutes before the launch, the final ‘go’ was given, with NASA saying: “Let Freedom fly.”

Abdullah Al-Sawha, minister of communications and IT and deputy head of the Supreme Space Council, and Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to United States, witnessed the launch of the space vehicle from Kennedy Space Center.

About an hour before lift-off, a spokesman of the Saudi Space Commission said the historic space mission was just the start for the Kingdom’s ambitions into space.

“Being the first Saudi woman astronaut, representing the region, it’s a great pleasure and honor that I’m very happy to carry,” said Barnawi at a recent press conference. Barnawi added that, aside from excitement for the research she will carry out on board, she is looking forward to sharing her experience with kids while on the ISS. “Being able to see their faces when they see astronauts from their own region for the first time is very thrilling,” she said.

As for Al Qarni, the mission is also a passion long realised. “It is a great opportunity for me to pursue this kind of passion that I have, and now … fly among the stars,” he said. A career fighter pilot, Al-Qarni said he has “always had the passion of exploring the unknown and just admiring the sky and the stars.” “It is a great opportunity for me to pursue this kind of passion that I have, and now maybe just fly among the stars.”

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the team will carry out 14 experiments focused on “human research, cell sciences, and cloud seeding experiments in the microgravity environment”. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the mission is also to expand space science education in the Kingdom. Saudi male and female students will participate in scientific experiments conducted on the ISS.

The US space agency NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space and the Saudi Space Commission confirmed, during a press conference in Orlando, Florida, earlier on Sunday that preparations for the AX-2 space mission have been completed as scheduled. Addressing the press conference, Eng. Mishaal Ashemimry, special advisor to CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, described the launch of the space flight as a historic moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and for the entire Arab region, saying that it represents a source of inspiration for the Saudi and Arab youth. She said that Saudi citizens throughout the Kingdom are excited about this scientific mission of their astronauts.