First Emirati astronaut gets personalised halal menu in space
The International Space Station will offer UAE astronaut local dishes, canned halal food
Dubai: The UAE’s first astronaut to go into space will receive a special menu that caters to his needs, including madrooba and balaleet.
Hazza Al Mansouri is the first astronaut from the UAE, and is currently preparing for his mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for the September 25 launch date.
The Space Food Laboratory company, which specialises in the production of astronaut food, will prepare the traditional Emirati dishes.
According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, Space Food Laboratory will provide Al Mansouri with canned halal food, such as balaleet, saloona and madrooba.
The dishes are expected to be ready by mid-August.
Al Mansouri will be launched to space aboard a Soyuz MS 15 spacecraft for an eight-day stay on the ISS before returning to Earth.
Accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and American astronaut Jessica Meir, Al Mansouri will carry out a number of scientific experiments before returning to Earth on October 3.
The meals
Balaleet: A traditional, sweet Emirati breakfast dish of egg and vermicelli.
Madrooba: Salt-cured fish seasoned with spices, and as it cooks in a pot, flour is slowly added to thicken the sauce.
Saloona: A traditional Emirati stew made up of spicy vegetables with meat or fish, which can be eaten on its own or with rice.