UPDATE

Six months in space: Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's journey in pictures

UAE astronaut returns after 200 experiments, 1,000 hours of space operations in ISS

Last updated:
2 MIN READ
1/23
March 2, 2023: Sultan Al Neyadi lifts off to ISS on Crew-6 Dragon spacecraft 'Endeavor' - Al Neyadi and the other three crew members lifted off on top of a Falcon 9 rocket at 9.34am UAE time from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.
MBR Space Centre
2/23
March 3, 2023: UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's Crew-6 reaches ISS - Al Neyadi and the rest of Crew 6 successfully docked onto the International Space Station, starting the longest Arab space mission in history. 'Little astronaut' Suhail was introduced as the fifth crew member.
MBRSC
3/23
March 4, 2023: Al Neyadi to do dental and postural experiments on ISS - Microgravity space studies by 'Sultan of Space' to benefit MBRU, NYU Abu Dhabi and others
Twitter/@Astro_Alneyadi
4/23
March 7, 2023: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, talks to Sultan Al Neyadi. In his live public video call, the Dubai Ruler told Al Neyadi: "Praise be to God for your safe arrival at the International Space Station... The youth of the UAE and the Arab region follow you and wish you success in your mission... Congratulations, and may Allah protect you."
Screengrab/NASA
5/23
March 9 2023: Al Neyadi shares first views of Earth from ISS Cupola - Al Neyadi also shared a valuable message. "The further we journey from Earth, the more we realise just how precious it truly is. Let us cherish and preserve this incredible planet we call home."
Reuters
6/23
March 14, 2023: Al Neyadi shares' breathtaking' photo of UAE taken from ISS - 'Sultan of Space' shares first sunlit photo of the UAE on his Twitter account
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
7/23
April 3, 2023: Al Neyadi completes one month in space - The Najmonaut (Arab astronaut) took to social media to mark the milestone and announced that he and his crewmates of NASA SpaceX Crew-6 have made significant progress in the experiments and research for their mission.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
8/23
April 4, 2023: Al Neyadi receives NASA's gold pin - After being granted the silver pin last May after completing 20 months of training, the UAE astronaut received the prestigious gold pin by flying into space.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
9/23
April 11, 2023: Al Neyadi conducts breakthrough research on diabetic foot ulcers - MALETH project aims to advance medicine for treating type 2 diabetes in collaboration with international entities, including MBRSC in Dubai.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
10/23
April 21 2023: Al Neyadi sports kandura, sends Eid wishes - Gives a quick tour of the space station to wish Eid to Earth from Cupola module
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
11/23
April 29, 2023: Neyadi creates history, becomes the first Arab to do spacewalk - 'Sultan of Space' took 'Zayed's Ambition' and the UAE's flag to outer space when he stepped out of the Quest Airlock of the station at around 5.30pm UAE time.
MBRSC
12/23
May 6, 2023: Al Neyadi relocates SpaceX Dragon that launched him to ISS - Four crew members relocated their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's docking port to make way for the arrival of an upcoming cargo spacecraft.
NASA
13/23
May 16, 2023: Al Neyadi conducts space experiment to cure Alzheimer's disease - Sultan of Space works on Ring Sheared Drop experiment for neuro-degenerative diseases
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
14/23
May 25, 2023: Gravity-defying birthday celebration of Al Neyadi - Emirati astronaut turned 42 on Tuesday, May 23. Taking to social media, he shared photos of how he celebrated the special day in space.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
15/23
June 3, 2023: Al Neyadi to use protein samples shipped from UAE in a major space experiment - Monoclonal Antibodies Protein Crystal Growth-2 experiment helps create and improve medicines
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
16/23
June 22, 2023: Al Neyadi advances cardiovascular research with PCG experiment - Proposed by MBRU in Dubai and Harvard Medical School, key experiment done in JAXA's Kibo
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
17/23
July 11, 2023: Al Neyadi fights microbial hitchhikers in space - 'Sultan of Space' revealed a vital task he does on the ISS — monitoring cabin to detect contamination by airborne bacteria and fungi.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
18/23
July 19, 2023: Al Neyadi shares stunning pic of UAE in special Hijri New Year wish - Al Neyadi shared a breathtaking view of a brightly-lit UAE from the ISS taken at the break of dawn on the horizon at the Earth's curvature.
X/@Astro_Alneyadi
19/23
August 11, 2023: UAE astronaut meets father, children and UAQ students' families - The meeting attended by 300 people saw the presence of the astronaut's children and his father, Saif.
MBRSC
20/23
September 1, 2023: Al Neyadi gives heartfelt farewell speech ahead of return - Emirati astronaut expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in successfully completing the six-month mission.
MBRSC
21/23
September 3, 2023 (1.25pm): Al Neyadi puts on his spacesuit and helmet. All crew members are now suited up for their space flight back to Earth.
NASA/X
22/23
September 3, 2023 (3.05pm): Depart burns are complete and the Dragon has successfully undocked from the International Space Station.
NASA/X
23/23
September 4, 2023 (Approximately 8:17am): Dragon Endeavour to splash down near Tampa off the coast of Florida on Monday.
NASA/X

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