On 25 September 2019, Hazza Al Mansouri launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft, marking a milestone as the first person from the United Arab Emirates to travel to the International Space Station. His eight-day mission, categorized under the slogan Zayed’s Ambition, established his nation as the 19th country to send an astronaut to the orbital laboratory.
Military Aviation and Preparation
Born in 1983 in Al Wathba, Al Mansouri developed an interest in space and flight during his youth in the Liwa desert. Following his graduation from the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College in 2004, he entered the armed forces. He eventually became a Functional Check Flight pilot for the F-16B60, completing extensive training in Arizona and performing demonstration flights at the Dubai Air Show.
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In 2017, the UAE Astronaut Programme was launched to prepare national candidates for scientific missions. Al Mansouri was chosen from an initial pool of 4,022 applicants following a rigorous series of mental and physical evaluations. His military background provided a foundation for his fitness, which included specialized training in water survival, spatial disorientation, and high-G force endurance exercises.
Mission Operations
To prepare for his time on the International Space Station, Al Mansouri completed over 1,400 hours of training across 90 courses in Russia, Germany, and Texas. On the mission, he worked alongside Russian commander Oleg Skripochka and American flight engineer Jessica Meir. During his stay, he conducted 15 scientific experiments developed by UAE students and performed Earth observation tasks before returning to Kazakhstan on 3 October 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1983, Al Wathba
- Citizenship: United Arab Emirates
- Launch Date: 25 September 2019
- Mission Duration: 8 days
- Education: Khalifa bin Zayed Air College
- Spacecraft: Soyuz MS-15
Questions readers ask
Was Hazza Al Mansouri the first Emirati in space?
Yes, he was the first person from the United Arab Emirates to reach the International Space Station.
What was the purpose of his mission?
The mission focused on scientific research, including 15 experiments selected from a UAE student competition and Earth observation.
Achievements
- Educated at Khalifa bin Zayed Air College
- Worked as aircraft pilot, astronaut and visiting astronaut
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