Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Apr 18, 2025

Sky’s no limit for ambitions; Saudis in space

In a historic moment, taking the dreams of all Saudi citizens to fly high on board, astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni have been launched into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The astronauts blasted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, in the US state of Florida on Sunday at 12:37 a.m. The Dragon spacecraft will travel for 16 hours to the ISS, with arrival expected at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

The astronauts took off on board the dreams of their proud families, the entire nation and its excited people, marking the first dispatch of Saudi nationals to foray into space in almost four decades.

Barnawi and Al Qarni are expected to join fellow Arab astronaut, the UAE’s Sultan Al-Neyadi, on ISS on Monday. It will mark the first time astronauts from two Arab countries meet onboard ISS. Hours before the launch, Al-Neyadi sent a good-luck message to Barnawi and Al Qarni on Twitter.

Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend eight days aboard the orbiting laboratory, carrying out a full mission comprised of science, outreach and commercial activities. During their mission, Barnawi and Al Qarni will conduct 20 experiments, including research into predicting and preventing cancer and a study into how to generate artificial rain in future human settlements on the Moon and Mars.

Barnawi, the first female Arab astronaut and a breast cancer researcher, and fighter pilot Ali Al Qarni embarked on their flight to the ISS on a private mission to carry out a number of experiments. The duo will be joined by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and US pilot John Shoffner.

Barnawi and Al Qarni were seen smiling and waving while heading to the Dragon spacecraft, prior to the launch. The astronauts said they are excited and proud to embark on the Saudi mission to outer space. The duo met their families and greeted all those around before boarding the launch vehicle.

NASA began a live broadcast of the launch live on its website and social media channels at 12:30 a.m. and confirmed that all the astronauts had donned their spacesuits ready for launch. Dragon spacecraft hatch closed for flight at about midnight. At 10 minutes before the launch, the final ‘go’ was given, with NASA saying: “Let Freedom fly.”

Abdullah Al-Sawha, minister of communications and IT and deputy head of the Supreme Space Council, and Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to United States, witnessed the launch from Kennedy Space Center.

About an hour before lift-off, a spokesman of the Saudi Space Commission said the historic space mission was just the start for the Kingdom’s ambitions into space.

"Being the first Saudi woman astronaut, representing the region, it's a great pleasure and honor that I'm very happy to carry," said Barnawi at a recent press conference. Barnawi added that, aside from excitement for the research she will carry out on board, she is looking forward to sharing her experience with kids while on the ISS. "Being able to see their faces when they see astronauts from their own region for the first time is very thrilling," she said.

As for Al Qarni, the mission is a passion long realized. “It is a great opportunity for me to pursue this kind of passion that I have, and now ... fly among the stars,” he said. A career fighter pilot, Al-Qarni said he has "always had the passion of exploring the unknown and just admiring the sky and the stars."

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the team will carry out 14 experiments focused on “human research, cell sciences, and cloud seeding experiments in the microgravity environment”. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the mission is also to expand space science education in the Kingdom. Saudi male and female students will participate in scientific experiments conducted on the ISS.

The US space agency NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space and the Saudi Space Commission confirmed, during a press conference in Orlando, Florida, earlier on Sunday that preparations for the AX-2 space mission were completed as scheduled. Addressing the press conference, Eng. Mishaal Ashemimry, special advisor to CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, described the launch of the space flight as a historic moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and for the entire Arab region, saying that it represents a source of inspiration for the Saudi and Arab youth. She said that Saudi citizens throughout the Kingdom are excited about this scientific mission of their astronauts.

Saudi Arabia established the Saudi Space Commission in 2018 and launched a program last year to send astronauts into space. The team is set to carry out some 20 experiments while on the ISS. One of them involves studying the behavior of stem cells in zero gravity. They will join seven others already on board the ISS: three Russians, three Americans and UAE astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi, who was the first Arab national to go on a spacewalk last month.

The mission to the ISS will be the second in partnership with ISS-key holder NASA by Axiom Space, a private space company, which offers the rare voyages for sums that run into the millions of dollars. The voyage of the Saudi astronauts comes within the framework of the Kingdom’s program for astronauts, which aims to qualify experienced Saudi cadres for space flights, and to participate in conducting scientific experiments, international research and future missions related to the space sector.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Worldwide Markets Decline as U.S.-China Trade Frictions Intensify
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Investment
Removing the Political Adversary is Dismantling What's Remaining of Turkey's Economy.
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
Volunteers in Jeddah Ensure No One Goes Hungry During Ramadan Iftar
New Restaurant Opens in Makkah's Iconic Clock Tower for Ramadan Iftar
Saudi Arabia's Project Masam Removes 552 Houthi Mines in Yemen
Saudi Arabia Fines Over 400 Foreign Trucks for Regulatory Violations
Saudi National Campaign for Charitable Work Reports Significant Donations in Ramadan
Historic Al-Hosn Al-Asfal Mosque Restored in Asir as Part of National Heritage Initiative
KSrelief Expands Humanitarian Efforts in Syria, Sudan, and Lebanon
Saudi Arabia Advocates for Global Water Cooperation at Forum
Madinah Governor Tours Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
Saudi Foreign Minister in Cairo to Lead Meeting on Gaza Developments
Recognition of Saudi and Pakistani Entrepreneurs at Riyadh Ceremony
UAE Announces $1.4 Trillion Investment Plan in the United States
Saudi Arabia Innovates in Soil Quality and Water Conservation
Governor of Taif Engages with Rose and Aromatic Plants Cooperative
Saudi Food and Drug Authority Enhances Preparations for Hajj Season
Saudi Arabia Distributes Aid to Yemen and Romania
Restoration of Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh Underlines Heritage Preservation Efforts
Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 25,000 for Immigration Violations in One Week
UAE’s ADQ and Energy Capital Partners Announce $25 Billion Energy Venture in the U.S.
KSrelief Launches Extensive Ramadan Food Aid Initiative
Ramadan Celebrations Revitalize Historic Jeddah
Makkah Authorities Urge Worshippers to Follow Crowd Management Guidelines
Direct Flights Between Dammam and Damascus Reestablished for Syrian Residents
Saudi Main Index Rises to Close at 11,760 Amid Mixed Market Performance
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch Visits Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
Cultural Development Fund Hosts Third Annual Storytellers Event in Riyadh
Investment Surge in Fintech, Gaming, and Health Care Across MENA Region
Surging Prices for Religious Tourism in Saudi Arabia Amid Ramadan Rush
Middle Eastern Airlines’ Fleet Projected to Surge Above Global Growth Rates
Oil Prices Rise Amid Supply Concerns and Sanctions on Iran
Saudi Arabia Reports Significant Decrease in US Treasury Holdings
Tabuk's Transformative Economic Landscape: A Hub of Growth and Innovation in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Strategic Advances in Water Sustainability
Merrill Lynch Appointed as Market Maker for 20 Securities on Saudi Exchange
Gold Prices Set for Third Weekly Gain Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Uncertainty
Saudi Banks Increase Debt Market Activities Amid Sukuk Surge
Saudi Aramco Launches Direct Air Capture Technology to Combat Emissions
Saudi Arabia Enhances Crowd Management at Grand Mosque for Ramadan
Abeer Al Akel Appointed CEO of Royal Commission for AlUla
Ukraine Pursues Partial Ceasefire in Saudi Arabia Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict
Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 25,000 Illegal Residents in Week-long Security Campaign
Royal Order Extends Dr. Eman Al-Mutairi’s Tenure as Deputy Minister of Commerce
Prophet’s Mosque Hosts 4,000 Mu’takifs for Ramadan Itikaf
Yemeni National Arrested for Exploiting Children for Begging in Riyadh
Makkah Region Records Highest Rainfall in Saudi Arabia
×