The first astronauts from Saudi Arabia in many years departed on a million-dollar chartered flight to the International Space Station on Sunday. The crew was launched by SpaceX from Kennedy Space Center under the direction of a retired NASA astronaut who is now employed by the company planning the trip.
An American businessman who is currently the owner of a sports car racing team was traveling with the retired astronaut and the Saudi crew members. On Monday morning, the four people are anticipated to arrive at the space station. They will stay there for just over a week before returning to Earth with a splashdown off the Florida coast.
Stem cell researcher Rayyanah Barnawi was the first Saudi Arabian woman to travel into space under the Saudi Arabian government’s sponsorship. Ali al-Qarni, a fighter pilot with the Royal Saudi Air Force, joined her. Since a Saudi prince flew on the shuttle Discovery in 1985, they are the first Saudi astronauts. Interestingly, a United Arab Emirates astronaut will greet them when they arrive at the station.
Hello from space!” Barnawi exclaimed with excitement. Being in this capsule and seeing Earth feels incredible. “As I look outside into space,” Al-Qarni continued, “I can’t help but think this is just the beginning of a great journey for all of us.”
John Shoffner, a former driver and the owner of a sports car racing team that competes in Europe, rounds out the visiting team from Knoxville, Tennessee. They are accompanied by Peggy Whitson, the first female commander of the ISS and the American with the most space-time (665 days and counting).
These Saudi Arabian astronauts’ launch marks an important turning point for the nation as they enter the global space community and open the door to more exploration and scientific research.
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