40 years since Prince Sultan’s flight: The journey that changed Arab space history

The remarkable strides made by the UAE and other regional nations in space today can be traced back to a pivotal historical event and an inspiring individual who changed the course of the Muslim and Arab world. June 17 marks the 40th anniversary of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud’s groundbreaking spaceflight in 1985, which unequivocally demonstrated that the Muslim and Arab world possessed the capability and vision to actively participate in space exploration and leave a lasting mark.

Today, when we bring up the title ‘Sultan of Space,’ many immediately think of UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sultan Al Neyadi, whose historic achievement in 2023 made him the longest-serving Arab in space. However, 38 years before that (and 40 years ago today), Prince Sultan bin Salman made history. His out-of-this-world experience marked him as the first Muslim and first Arab in space, and his achievement continues to inspire countless individuals and nations across the world.

Born in Riyadh in 1956, the second son of King Salman, Sultan was a distinguished member of the Saudi ruling family. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of Denver and later received a master’s degree in social sciences from Syracuse University. He is also an experienced pilot.

Another interconnected milestone for the Arab world at that time was the launch of the Arab League’s Arab Satellite Communications Organisation’s (Arabsat) first satellite in 1985. This satellite was launched by Arianespace in February, and their second satellite was soon ready for launch by NASA. The Arab League was invited to select an astronaut to accompany the satellite aboard NASA’s space shuttle Discovery. Due to the limited timeframe, the recruitment focused on candidates who spoke English, were pilots, and were prepared to undergo the physically demanding training required for a space mission. Prince Sultan was selected from 20 shortlisted candidates as the primary payload specialist, embarking on rigorous and demanding training at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. The comprehensive training covered everything from understanding the complex systems of the Space Shuttle to emergency procedures, scientific protocols, and adapting to microgravity. With only about 10 weeks to prepare, the crew underwent intense training sessions lasting up to 16 hours a day.

The mission itself — STS-51G, NASA’s 18th space shuttle mission — featured NASA astronauts, a French astronaut, and Sultan. The mission patch included the flags of Saudi Arabia and France, signifying the international dimension of the Shuttle programme. On June 17, 1985, Discovery successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, deploying three satellites, including Arabsat’s second satellite.

Aboard Discovery, Sultan conducted Earth observation, taking photographs from space, and participated in scientific studies such as the Phase Separation study and Ionised Gas study. He also supported French astronaut Patrick Baudry in the French Postural Experiments, exploring changes in muscle tone, posture, orientation, and movement.

One key aspect of Sultan’s mission was his devotion to his faith. He became the first person to perform salat (Islamic prayer) in space, fastening his feet to the shuttle to pray in microgravity. He also became the first to read the Holy Quran in space, bringing along a copy with him. His father, King Salman, was especially pleased to hear that his son had completed reciting the entire Quran while in orbit. An article in the Saudi Gazette recalled how the prince became emotional and shed tears as he told his father by phone that he had completed the recitation aboard the shuttle.

In his book Seven Days in Space, Sultan also noted that he fasted in space, as the mission began during the last few days of Ramadan. Reflecting on the experience, he told Arab News, “When you see Earth from space you then begin to focus … that this is a gift from Allah, and that there is more to it than yourself and your small community, more to it than your own limited passions.”

Other Muslim astronauts who followed have also spoken about their experiences praying, reading the Quran, and fasting in space, sharing how such moments brought them closer to the Almighty. My own experiences in space medicine and health research remind me of the verse in Surah Ar-Rahman, “Which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?” Venturing into space continually highlights for me the many blessings we take for granted, such as our protective atmosphere and gravity. Without them, astronauts face serious health risks, including bone and muscle loss, cardiovascular strain, visual impairment, and kidney-related issues.

On June 24, 1985, Discovery safely returned to Earth, concluding this historic mission. Sultan was welcomed as a national and international hero, celebrated with rose petals and meetings with leaders from around the world. His journey not only brought pride to Saudi Arabia but also ignited inspiration across the entire Arab and Muslim world. Aramco World even produced a special issue documenting his mission, titled Arabs and the Stars.

Even the UAE Space Agency, in one of its blog posts, recognised his influence: “Prince Sultan served as a great inspiration, making a mark in the region and the entire world,” adding that “Prince Sultan’s experience had a great impact on the UAE.” The UAE’s interest in space goes back to the 1970s, exemplified by the commitment of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Zayed had previously met with astronauts from Apollo 17—the last crewed mission to the moon—and in 1988, he met Sultan himself. The UAE Space Agency credits Sheikh Zayed’s vision and Sultan’s milestone as the stepping-stones that inspired the UAE’s pursuit of space exploration.

Since his historic journey, Sultan has continued to inspire millions. From 2018 to 2021, he served as Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission, which in 2023 evolved into the Saudi Space Agency. Beyond space, Sultan has held other prominent roles, including President of the Saudi General Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, and Chairman of the King Salman Centre for Disability Research.

Sultan’s pioneering spirit, historical achievements, and unwavering dedication to national development and humanitarian causes stand as a profound source of inspiration, showing how the vision and leadership of one individual can resonate across nations and generations.

Dr Farhan M. Asrar is a Canadian physician, academic, and internationally known space medicine researcher and educator.