Jeddah: Saudi travelers Rayana Barnawi and Ali Alqarni will leave for the International Space Station (ISS) next month. Saudi Space Authority, Axiom Space, American Space Agency (NASA) and SpaceX Company announced the official date of the trip in a press conference held in Houston, USA. Masha’il Al Shumaimari, Consultant Engineer at the Saudi Space Authority, Michael T., President and CEO of Axiom Space. Saffredini, representatives of NASA and SpaceX and others attended the press conference.
There are four people in the ‘AX2 space mission team’ including the Saudi tourists. Rayana Barnawi is the first Saudi woman to become an astronaut. Apart from fellow Saudi national Ali Alqarni, the other two people in the group are Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner. Two Saudi astronauts who underwent an intensive special training program to prepare for the journey were especially praised at the press conference. They have great skills, experience, high physical fitness and mental flexibility. This will enable them to adapt to the space environment. She also said that they have shown extraordinary ability in various fields like engineering, robotics and life support systems. She pointed out that the IU mission will open a new era in space exploration for the country and mark two historic milestones.
It is the first mission of a Saudi woman in space. This confirms the progress women have made in the country in various fields. Also, this is the first time a Saudi Arabian team is working on the International Space Station. The training program provided expert training in International Space Station programs and operational processes. In addition to the expeditionary skills training at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, they also conducted training at Japanese and European research centers last January and February, she said.
Saudi Space Authority Consultant Eng. Masha’il Al Shumaimari said. The Saudi Space Authority has the great and generous support of the Crown Prince. It is part of the research and inventions carried out for the benefit of humanity and science.
This mission is to enhance the country’s position globally in the field of space exploration, serve humanity and achieve the ambitions and goals of ‘Vision 2030’ in the field of space. Alshumaimari said that the authority is confident in the full readiness of both of them to carry out their mission in space.
